Islamabad: Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) Haroon Akhtar Khan on Wednesday announced that the government is planning to reduce taxes on industries and lower electricity tariffs in the near future as part of broader efforts to support economic growth.
Addressing a news conference, Mr Khan said that Pakistan has largely achieved macroeconomic stability, allowing the government to now shift its focus toward strengthening micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which he described as the backbone of the national economy.
He said MSMEs play a vital role in employment generation, production and exports, adding that the government has placed them at the centre of its development agenda. “Our clear priority is to ensure that economic policies reach every district and every small business across the country,” he stated.
Highlighting the structure of the SME sector, Mr Khan said the capital value of an SME typically ranges between Rs30 million and Rs150 million, but stressed that micro enterprises form the real foundation of the economy and must be brought into the mainstream.
He identified limited access to financing and lack of marketing information as the key challenges faced by MSMEs, noting that banks often hesitate to extend credit to this segment. He added that the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) has been reorganised and a new head has been appointed to strengthen institutional support.
The SAPM said consultations with SME clusters across the country have been completed and a comprehensive SME policy has been developed with representation from all provinces and regions.
Mr Khan also announced that the “Made in Pakistan SME Cluster Showcase Expo 2026” will be held from January 24 to 26 at the Expo Centre Lahore. He described the event as a national platform for small businesses, featuring over 30 SME cluster pavilions and participation from 174 representatives, aimed at promoting local products and strengthening domestic industry.
