- Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb says electric fan exports to the Gulf and Africa could drive export growth.
- The fan industry, centred in Gujranwala and Gujrat, will benefit from modernisation and global demand for energy-efficient appliances.
Pakistan’s Finance Minister, Muhammad Aurangzeb, announced the government’s plan to export locally manufactured electric fans to Gulf and African countries on Friday, April 11. He believes these energy-efficient products can help boost Pakistan’s export economy.
While speaking at the “Made in Gujranwala Exhibition” in Islamabad, Aurangzeb said the country must move beyond domestic use and promote these products internationally.
“We want these products to succeed in local and export markets,” he said.
Manufacturers in Gujranwala and Gujrat produce most of Pakistan’s fans through small and medium enterprises. Aurangzeb urged them to upgrade their technology and align with international standards to meet global demand.
“If we already have high productivity and competitiveness, we should start exporting,” he added. “We must figure out how to push traditional and modern fans to global markets.”
Aurangzeb highlighted that energy-efficient fans are in high demand, especially in hot climates like the Gulf and Africa. He said that by supporting the fan industry, the government will diversify the economy and reduce reliance on textiles.
The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics reported that the country’s exports rose 11% to $30.7 billion in the last fiscal year. Between July 2024 and March 2025 alone, exports reached $24.7 billion, reflecting an 8% year-on-year increase.
“We must pursue export-led growth,” Aurangzeb stressed. “Every sector in this country must become export-oriented.”
The government has pledged to support local businesses and revamp the manufacturing sector. It continues to work with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to stabilise the economy. The IMF is expected to release a $1 billion loan tranche to Pakistan in the coming weeks under a new programme.
Aurangzeb believes Pakistan’s electric fan industry can play a pivotal role in this recovery by tapping into emerging markets and meeting global demand with modern, efficient products.