Pakistan's chemical industry can drive exports, cut import bill

June 08, 2026 (MLN): Pakistan's chemical sector has the potential to play a pivotal role in economic growth, export promotion, industrial innovation and job creation.

Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal made these remarks, calling on the industry to step up its contribution to the national economy.

Addressing the Pakistan Chemical Expo 2026 in Lahore, the minister stressed that the country must adopt a development model rooted in knowledge, research, technology and industry if it is to transform into a strong, competitive and export-oriented economy.

The chemical industry is globally regarded as the "mother of all industries," Ahsan Iqbal said, noting that it serves as the foundational backbone for a wide range of critical sectors including agriculture, textiles, pharmaceuticals, construction, automobiles, electronics and energy.

He said no modern industrial economy can develop without a strong and self-sufficient chemical base, said a press release issued.

The minister highlighted a key structural weakness in Pakistan's industrial landscape, pointing out that the country currently imports chemicals, polymers and industrial raw materials worth billions of dollars annually.

He said many of these inputs can and should be produced domestically, and that developing local production capacity would not only reduce the import bill but also strengthen upstream and downstream industrial linkages across the economy.

Ahsan Iqbal urged stakeholders in the chemical sector to treat the expo as an opportunity to forge partnerships, attract investment and chart a roadmap for import substitution and value-added manufacturing that could position Pakistan as a regional hub for chemical production.

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