- Advertisement -
LAHORE, Jan 13 (APP):Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) President Faheem Ur Rehman Saigol has termed the growing international interest in Pakistan’s JF-17 Thunder fighter jets as a very positive and encouraging development for the country.
In a media statement issued here Tuesday, he said, the interest shown by countries such as Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan and others in purchasing the JF-17 Thunder clearly proves that Pakistan’s defence industry has gained trust at the global level.
In recent years, he cited, the professionalism of the Pakistan Air Force, its operational successes and the development of modern indigenous technology have helped present Pakistan as a strong player in defence production.
Faheem Ur Rehman Saigol stated that defence exports, especially high-tech and value-added projects like the JF-17, can become a game changer for Pakistan’s economy. These projects will not only earn billions of dollars in valuable foreign exchange but will also create new jobs, strengthen local engineering and aviation industries, and promote technology transfer.
He added that the export of the JF-17 Thunder reflects the strength of Pakistan’s industrial base and shows that the country is no longer limited to raw materials or low-value products. Pakistan now has the capability to offer high-tech and strategic products in international markets. This progress will improve Pakistan’s global image and increase the confidence of foreign investors.
The LCCI President further said that success in the defence production sector can serve as a role model for other industries. With close cooperation between the government, private sector and defence institutions, Pakistan can significantly enhance export potential in sectors such as engineering, automobiles, electronics and IT.
He urged the government to make defence and high-tech exports a key part of the national export strategy, ensure consistency in policies and provide long-term support to exporters. This, he said, would help reduce reliance on IMF programmes and move the country towards sustainable economic self-reliance.