Mian Zahid Hussain, President of the Pakistan Businessmen and Intellectuals Forum, welcomed Haroon Akhtar Khan’s appointment as Adviser to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production. He praised the Prime Minister’s decision as a commitment to industrial stability and governance, noting Khan’s blend of technical knowledge and political experience is crucial for the economy.

Hussain highlighted Khan’s previous success as Federal Minister for Revenue, during which he achieved a peak tax-to-GDP ratio of 11.2 percent and prioritized growth across six federal budgets. He emphasized the need for harmonizing tax policies with industrial incentives.

With the Large Scale Manufacturing Industries (LSMI) showing 6.48 percent growth, particularly in automobiles and apparel, Hussain cautioned about vulnerabilities in other sectors, such as mining and cotton. He urged Khan to focus on tackling the energy circular debt and advancing the National Industrial Policy, noting that high business costs hinder exporters.

Hussain expressed confidence in Khan’s ability to connect government and businesses, transforming Pakistan into a regional manufacturing hub.