Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has launched the Punjab Innovation, Value Addition and Economic Transformation (PIVOT) Plan 2026-29, a Rs1,995.3 billion economic strategy that targets $6.8 billion in additional exports, 162,000 direct jobs and support for more than one million livelihoods. The plan was launched in Lahore on Friday, October 30, 2026.
What happened?
The three-year roadmap aims to position Punjab as an export-oriented industrial hub by strengthening manufacturing, promoting value addition, attracting private investment and expanding opportunities across agriculture, technology and tourism. The launch brought together business leaders, policymakers, financial sector representatives, diplomats and international development partners, including State Bank of Pakistan Governor Jameel Ahmad and representatives of the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank.
Key details
- The overall framework combines Rs1,089 billion in public investment with a targeted Rs906 billion in private-sector investment.
- The Strategic Trade Enhancement Programme (STEP) will offer Rs300 billion in concessional financing for eligible businesses at interest rates ranging from zero to five per cent, supported by a digital portal.
- Rs753.7 billion is earmarked for industrial development, manufacturing expansion, value addition and export competitiveness.
- Rs50 billion is allocated for solar installations and battery energy storage systems, and another Rs50 billion for machinery duty reimbursements to help manufacturers modernise.
- Four specialised agro-processing parks are planned in Sargodha, Khanewal, Okara and Bhakkar to reduce post-harvest losses and connect farmers with higher-value supply chains.
- The plan aims to train 402,060 people through industry-aligned skills programmes, digitise 300 public administrative services through the E-Biz initiative, and bring 2,000 businesses onto e-commerce platforms.
- A PIVOT Board chaired by Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb will oversee implementation, with progress tracked through a central dashboard and industry scorecard. The Chief Secretary said the programme would be operationalised within six months.
What it means for people in Pakistan
For exporters and small manufacturers, the plan promises cheaper financing and support to meet international standards, while farmers could gain from processing and storage closer to home. The figures announced so far are government targets for the next three years rather than delivered results, so the real test will be how quickly the financing window, industrial parks and skills programmes open to businesses on the ground.
Source: https://www.techjuice.pk/punjab-cm-maryam-nawaz-launches-rs1-99-trillion-pivot-economic-plan/
