Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said recent regional tensions have become a major wake-up call for Pakistan, stressing the urgent need to reduce dependence on imported energy and strengthen economic self-reliance.
Speaking at a ceremony related to the Capital Market Development Fund in Islamabad, the finance minister said Pakistan must rapidly shift toward alternative energy sources and rely more on domestic resources to protect the economy from external shocks.
He said the government had spent the last two months working to stabilize foreign exchange reserves and ensure uninterrupted oil supplies amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, highlighting how vulnerable the country remains to global energy disruptions.
Aurangzeb said commercial decisions must increasingly be taken independently and in line with national interests, adding that economic stability can only be achieved through self reliance and stronger mobilization of local capital.
He described the stock and capital markets as critical tools for reducing dependence on external financing and encouraging domestic investment. The finance minister also stressed the importance of bringing more Pakistanis, particularly young people, into formal investment channels.
During the event, Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan Chairman Dr. Kabir Ahmed Sidhu said less than 1 percent of Pakistan’s population currently participates in the capital market, calling it one of the country’s biggest financial inclusion gaps.
He said regulators are targeting an increase in the number of investors to 2.5 million through reforms, awareness campaigns, and measures aimed at attracting younger and first time investors into the market.
Aurangzeb said the government’s focus remains on improving key economic indicators, including the current account and fiscal deficit, while maintaining stability despite regional uncertainty.
He added that Pakistan’s leadership remains actively engaged in efforts to reduce tensions in the region, but warned that the country must adopt a more cautious and strategically prepared economic approach going forward