Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb revealed on Thursday that state-owned enterprises (SOEs) in Pakistan are incurring daily losses of Rs. 2.2 billion, with cumulative losses reaching a staggering Rs. 6 trillion over the past decade. He made these remarks while addressing a seminar organized by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP).

To address the financial burden, the minister proposed privatizing 50 percent of SOEs, arguing that such a move would enhance efficiency and reduce fiscal expenditure. “Privatization is essential to improve the performance of these enterprises and ease the strain on the national exchequer,” he said.

Aurangzeb also highlighted the pressing challenges posed by Pakistan’s rapidly growing population, including child stunting and a high number of out-of-school children. He stressed the urgent need to control the population growth rate, warning that failure to do so would exacerbate existing social and economic issues.

The finance minister underscored the critical role of the private sector in driving economic growth. He called for greater private sector involvement to strengthen the national economy and address structural challenges.

Aurangzeb announced that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will unveil a comprehensive economic roadmap for the country within the next 10 days, aimed at addressing key economic challenges and setting a path for sustainable growth.

The seminar also served as a platform to discuss policy interventions needed to foster a favorable business environment, with stakeholders emphasizing the importance of reforms to attract investment and boost economic activity