Advisor to the Finance Minister, Mr. Khurram Schehzad, attended the launch of ICMA Pakistan’s “Budget 2025–26 Compendium: Insights, Analysis and Impact” in Karachi, where he highlighted the importance of economic literacy and knowledge-based initiatives for national progress. The event brought together industry professionals, economists, and students to gain a deeper understanding of the federal budget and its implications for the country.
In his keynote address, Mr. Schehzad praised ICMA Pakistan for compiling a comprehensive and accessible resource on the budget, emphasizing that such efforts make complex economic policies understandable to the public. He encouraged younger generations to focus on building their expertise in economics, describing it as essential for both individual success and the nation’s future development.
Mr. Schehzad commended ICMA’s commitment to providing specialized financial education and called for a stronger focus on policy feedback that incorporates practical economic insights. He stressed that a thriving knowledge economy should enable young Pakistanis to compete on merit and contribute meaningfully to policy formulation.
To further promote innovation, the Advisor proposed that ICMA establish an incubation center to modernize accounting practices and create connections between students and potential investors. He assured ICMA of his continued support, both as a government representative and personally, toward realizing this initiative.
Discussing the features of the federal Budget 2025–26, Mr. Schehzad said the government’s priorities are relief and recovery, particularly for the salaried class, to ensure fairness across the board. He outlined several initiatives, including affordable housing, financial support for women-led startups, facilitation of small and medium-sized enterprises, and tariff reforms designed to reduce import and export duties over a five-year period, ultimately boosting exports and increasing Pakistan’s competitiveness. He also noted improvement in the country’s international credit ratings and a reduction in overall economic risk.
The event concluded with a question-and-answer session, after which Mr. Shahid Anwar, Director Research at ICMA, presented a token of appreciation to Mr. Schehzad in recognition of his support.
