ISLAMABAD, Mar 2 (APP):President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday commended the government for steering the economy away from a virtual collapse, and stressed that the next phase must focus on inclusive growth, job creation and direct relief for citizens.
“Through steady stewardship, we have seen stability return in key indicators. But this is a first step on a journey to sustained, people-centric growth. Our salaried classes, pensioners, labourers and small traders have endured a long night of hardship. The next phase must therefore focus on inclusive growth, jobs, and direct relief,” the president said while addressing the joint sitting of the parliament.
President Zardari urged the government to undertake structural reforms, ensure transparency in taxation and public expenditure, and broaden the tax base to strengthen economic foundations.
Highlighting the role of technology in reshaping the global economy, he said Pakistan had reset its policy frameworks for emerging sectors and digital assets, creating sustainable platforms to support responsible expansion. “We cannot afford technological isolation,” he remarked.
The president identified high energy costs as a major constraint on economic potential, calling energy reform a prerequisite for industrial revival. “At a time when the world is moving towards clean energy, Pakistan cannot afford to lag,” he said.
He said poverty should not define the future of the population and called for expanding the social protection framework, particularly the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), to empower those at the bottom of the social pyramid.
He also stressed the importance of removing barriers to women’s progress, ensuring that women and girls have safety, digital access and financial independence to contribute fully to national development.