Pakistan stands at a critical juncture in its economic journey. After decades of stop-start growth, the country faces a historic opportunity and imperative to shift from a fragile, inward-looking economy to a dynamic, export-led engine of sustainable development. Over the past 12 years, Pakistan’s growth has remained modest, averaging 3.25% annually, far behind its regional peers. The country’s over-reliance on protectionism, import substitution, and narrow export baskets have left it vulnerable to external shocks, fiscal crises, and structural stagnation. The COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical tensions, and climate challenges have only deepened this vulnerability. With its trade-to-GDP ratio lagging behind emerging economies and exports overly concentrated in low-value textiles and a handful of markets, Pakistan must now reimagine its global economic footprint.

The urgency to revitalise exports is no longer a policy option; it is a national mission. Building on the URAAN Pakistan vision, this conference calls for applied, reform-oriented research to support the mission of achieving $100 billion in sustainable exports, positioning Pakistan as a competitive player in global markets