Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Muhammad Aurangzeb held an extensive meeting with a high-level delegation of Pakistan’s textile and apparel industry to discuss proposals for the upcoming Federal Budget 2026–27.
The delegation, representing leading chambers, associations, exporters and industry stakeholders, presented a comprehensive set of recommendations aimed at improving the competitiveness, sustainability and long-term growth of the country’s largest export sector.
During the meeting, industry representatives highlighted the textile sector’s central role in Pakistan’s economy, particularly in exports, employment generation, industrial production and foreign exchange earnings. They stressed the need for a stable and growth-oriented policy environment to address global market challenges and regional competition.
The proposals focused on key areas including taxation reforms, energy pricing, export facilitation, industrial modernization, liquidity management, investment promotion and ease of doing business. The industry also called for improved refund mechanisms, reduced compliance burden and measures to strengthen cash flow for exporters.
Stakeholders argued that timely structural reforms could enhance export competitiveness, attract investment, support value-added manufacturing and integrate Pakistan more effectively into global supply chains.
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb appreciated the input from the textile sector and reiterated the government’s commitment to regular consultation with the business community through the Tax Policy Office of the Ministry of Finance. He said the government aims to move beyond limited pre-budget consultations towards a continuous engagement framework with stakeholders.
He also briefed the delegation on ongoing efforts to improve transparency and documentation through digital monitoring systems being introduced across key industries, including sugar, cement, beverages and tobacco. He noted that the initiative applies uniformly across all sectors.
Aurangzeb invited the textile industry to cooperate in gradually adopting similar digital monitoring mechanisms. He said pilot projects have already begun in some units, while industry representatives acknowledged the importance of transparency and agreed to continue consultations for a workable framework tailored to the sector’s operational realities.
The minister assured the delegation that their recommendations would be reviewed in detail during the budget-making process.
The meeting was attended by senior representatives of the textile industry, including members of major trade bodies and associations such as APTMA, PTEA, PHMA, PTC, PRGMEA, APBUMA, TMA, PDMEA, PBEA and PAKSEA.