Islamabad: Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb says Pakistan has consolidated gains on the macroeconomic front. Addressing an event in Islamabad today, he highlighted growth across different sectors including cement, fertilizer, automobiles, mobile phones, and large-scale manufacturing.

According to Radio Pakistan, the Finance Minister underscored the importance of structural reforms to place the country on a path of sustainable economic growth. He pointed to the reforms implemented in the taxation, energy, and other key sectors.

Regarding rightsizing, the Finance Minister said that fifty-four thousand vacant posts have been abolished as of 30th September, resulting in an annual saving of fifty-six billion rupees. He also mentioned the merger of various ministries and the closure of entities such as the Utility Stores Corporation.

Referring to global uncertainty stemming from geopolitical tensions, trade fragmentation, and supply-chain readjustments, the Finance Minister emphasized that every country, including Pakistan, must build fiscal and external buffers to deal with exogenous shocks.