The Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), in collaboration with the American Business Forum (ABF), convened a high-level policy dialogue titled “Reset: A Policy Dialogue on Pakistan’s Economic Priorities” in Islamabad on February 15, bringing together leading policymakers, economists, and industry experts to chart a sustainable economic future for the country.
The panel featured State Minister for Finance and Railways Bilal Azhar Kayani, Ali Naseer, Chief Strategy Officer at Jazz, and Stefan Dercon, Professor of Economics at the University of Oxford. The discussion was moderated by Ali Hasanain, Associate Professor of Economics at LUMS.
The dialogue centered on Pakistan’s transition from economic stabilisation to long-term structural reform, with participants addressing key questions regarding the country’s economic roadmap, priority sectors, and strategies for ensuring policy continuity. Panelists underscored that policy inconsistency has historically hindered Pakistan’s growth trajectory and emphasized the urgent need for sustained and predictable reforms.
Speakers highlighted digital infrastructure as a significant competitive advantage for Pakistan, noting that leveraging technology-driven sectors could accelerate economic progress and attract investment. They also stressed that successful economic transformations in other countries have often been driven by broad-based coalitions and consistent policy implementation rather than flawless planning.
The discussion drew strong participation from Islamabad’s business community, policymakers, and LUMS alumni, reflecting growing interest in a cohesive and forward-looking economic strategy for Pakistan.
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The event concluded with a consensus that Pakistan must move beyond short-term stabilisation measures and focus on structural reforms anchored in policy stability, institutional continuity, and strategic sectoral prioritisation.
