Export-led growth is the only viable and sustainable route to Pakistan's economic revival, according to Sardar Tahir Mehmood, President of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), who called for a decisive shift in trade and industrial policy.

Speaking to a visiting delegation of industrialists, Mr Mehmood argued that overseas sales are not merely a source of foreign exchange but a central driver of productivity, competitiveness and long-term macroeconomic stability. Without a coherent strategy centred on external markets, he suggested, economic recovery would remain fragile.

Although sectors such as textiles, information-technology services and agro-based products have shown some improvement, Pakistan's overall export performance continues to lag behind its potential. The ICCI chief maintained that reliance on volume-based shipments must give way to value-added and knowledge-driven goods.

Priority industries, he said, should include textiles, IT, pharmaceuticals, engineering goods, agro-processing and light manufacturing. Targeted assistance for these segments would, in his view, enhance competitiveness and diversify the export basket.

Competitive energy tariffs, fiscal incentives and efficient trade facilitation were identified as essential measures to support outward-oriented enterprises. Without such reforms, he implied, firms would struggle to expand their international footprint.

Mr Mehmood also highlighted the growing importance of digital and technology-based services. Pakistan's human capital, he observed, could be converted into export revenue through enabling policies, technology parks and public-private partnerships.

Trade diplomacy, he added, should be deployed more proactively to access emerging markets in Africa, Central Asia and ASEAN economies. Expanding geographical outreach would help mitigate concentration risks in traditional destinations.

Policy continuity, regulatory predictability and improvements in the ease of doing business were described as indispensable for sustained expansion. Small and medium-sized enterprises, in particular, require stronger institutional backing to participate meaningfully in global commerce.

The ICCI president urged closer coordination between policymakers and the private sector to implement a focused export-led framework. Such an approach, he concluded, would narrow the trade deficit, generate employment and reinforce Pakistan's economic resilience.