ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, yesterday underscored the critical need for inclusive growth and the importance of integrating all sectors of society into the national economic framework.

Speaking at the launch event of ‘ESG Sustain Pakistan’s premier sustainability-centric online platform’, he emphasized that inclusive growth is vital for ensuring that every individual and institution has the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the economy. Aurangzeb commended the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) for its significant efforts in promoting digitization and fostering a culture of data sharing, which he described as essential for Pakistan’s future growth. He stated that digital channels provide a robust platform for scaling up initiatives and enhancing transparency and accountability within the economy.

The newly launched ESG platform is designed to encourage businesses and organizations to share their success stories and best practices in sustainability. Aurangzeb noted that this initiative will act as an equalizer, allowing companies of all sizes to showcase their achievements and learn from one another. This, he said, would help promote a collaborative culture and drive collective progress across sectors. Highlighting the pivotal role of the private sector in the country’s growth, Aurangzeb stressed that while the government provides the necessary policy framework and enabling environment, it is the private sector that must lead the charge in driving economic development. He pointed out that the government’s role is not to be directly involved in business, citing the significant losses of approximately Rs6 trillion incurred by state-owned enterprises (SOEs) over the past decade.