KARACHI: Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan has said that supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) through responsive policies and targeted facilitation will help unlock growth, reduce the trade deficit, and create much-needed jobs.

During his visit to Techno Auto Glass Ltd, Pak Suzuki Motor Comp­any Ltd, and Aisha Steel Mills at Bin Qasim Industrial Park on Monday, he expressed appreciation for the industrial infrastructure that is helping create highly skilled, much-needed jobs in the manufacturing sector.

He pledged the government’s support for the sector, especially by facilitating higher volumes of small cars for Pakistan’s middle and lower-middle classes, who currently use motorcycles.

Mr Haroon was briefed by industry representatives and Smeda Chief Executive Officer Nadia Jahangir Seth on the contribution of SME clusters to Pakistan’s manufacturing and export sectors.

Around 75 companies in the automotive and automotive parts industry operate in Bin Qasim and surrounding areas, providing employment to almost 100,000 people and producing high-quality local parts used in the automotive sector.

Ms Seth briefed the SAPM on ongoing initiatives to support SME clusters, including efforts to improve access to finance, enhance technology, and expand market linkages.

The industry stakeholders pledged to further increase their localisation efforts to reduce costs and transfer skilled jobs to Pakistan, creating opportunities for the young population.

Published in Dawn, January 13th, 2026