An Exclusive Conversation with Rana Ihsan Afzal Khan, Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Commerce and Industries
This conversation is part of a special series by The Diplomatic Insight and our digital platform DiploTV, through which we engage with distinguished leaders from international organizations, government, and the development sector to spotlight individuals and institutions advancing Pakistan’s global engagements and partnerships.
We are pleased to present this exclusive interview with Mr. Rana Ihsan Afzal Khan, Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Commerce and Industries.
TDI: Share with us your journey from Faisalabad especially both personal and political. Could you share your family legacy and professional background that have shaped your path into public service?
Thank you. It is a pleasure to speak to The Diplomatic Insight. My journey has been deeply rooted in the values instilled by my family and the spirit of my hometown, Faisalabad, a city known for its entrepreneurial energy and hardworking people. Faisalabad has always been home. Growing up in a family of public servants, the atmosphere around me was naturally political and service-oriented.
My father, the late Rana Muhammad Afzal Khan, started his political career in the early ’90s and served as a member of both the Provincial and National Assemblies, eventually becoming Minister of State for Finance. My mother, Dr. Najma Afzal Khan, also served in the Punjab Assembly and was actively involved in healthcare and education initiatives.
Watching both of them work closely with the people gave me a deep sense of what public service truly means—not just holding office, but solving problems and creating systems that improve lives. But before stepping into politics, I spent over a decade working across the private sector, from healthcare and education to manufacturing and energy.
I served on the boards of FESCO and Danish School, and chaired the All Pakistan Particle Board Manufacturers Association. That experience was invaluable. It gave me an understanding of how businesses think, what constraints they face, and most importantly, how policy can either empower or impede growth.
Today, in my current role, I bring that dual lens as someone who understands governance, but also respects the language of enterprise. Now, as Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Commerce and Industries, I see it as my responsibility to combine my business background and political heritage to help Pakistan grow by creating economic opportunities, attracting investment, and strengthening our industrial base.
It’s not just a position for me; it’s a mission grounded in the values my parents lived by and the aspirations of the people I represent.
TDI: Your entry into politics focuses particularly on economic issues. How did this phase shape your political journey and prepare you for your current leadership role?
After the passing of my father, I felt a strong sense of responsibility to carry forward the legacy of public service he had built over the decades. But I didn’t want to jump into politics without understanding the groundwork. I joined Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), where I had the opportunity to work closely with the party’s economic team. My academic background in economics and management sciences helped me contribute meaningfully from the start.
I became part of the economic committee, and our first task was to develop white papers on the prevailing economic situation. These documents became important tools for public discourse and were instrumental in framing the party’s economic narrative. I also had the opportunity to contribute to speeches delivered by the then-opposition leader in the Punjab Assembly, Hamza Shahbaz Sharif, which helped me understand both the technical and political nuances of policy communication.
Over time, my role evolved, and I became a spokesperson on economic issues for the party, eventually joining the PML-N’s central economic council. These experiences laid the foundation for my current role as Coordinator to the Prime Minister.
Initially, I was entrusted with monitoring and implementation of various initiatives, and later my portfolio expanded to include commerce and industries. It’s a challenging role, but it’s also deeply fulfilling to translate ideas into actionable policy and contribute to Pakistan’s economic direction at a national level.
Q: You come from a family deeply rooted in politics and public service. What values and life lessons did you inherit from your parents that continue to guide your leadership today?
I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have grown up in a household where both of my parents led by example. My father, Rana Muhammad Afzal Khan, was not only a seasoned politician but also a man of principle. From a very early age, he made it clear to us that politics is not a pursuit of power, but a form of public service.
The most important values he instilled in me were honesty, integrity, and hard work. He always believed that leadership without these principles is hollow. Watching him work so tirelessly for the people of Faisalabad and the nation, even when it demanded personal sacrifice, taught me that public trust is sacred—it must be earned and never taken for granted.
At the same time, my mother, Dr. Najma Afzal Khan, has had an equally profound influence on me. As a doctor and former Member of the Punjab Assembly, she has always been deeply involved in social welfare and community initiatives. She’s a passionate advocate for women’s rights and empowerment and has always shown me how to balance professional commitment with compassion and purpose.
She taught me to respect women, to listen, and to create space for inclusive leadership. That foundation of empathy and equality is something I carry with me into every role I’ve taken on. Together, their lives taught me that leadership is not about position rather it’s about the people you serve and the legacy you leave behind.
Q: Let’s talk about Faisalabad. Your home town. How has the city influenced your approach to development and governance?
Faisalabad is Pakistan’s textile and business powerhouse, and its ethos is one of enterprise and self-reliance. People in Faisalabad are inherently problem-solvers. I have drawn heavily on that spirit in my governance style. We don’t wait for solutions from others; we build them.
I have always believed that if we get cities like Faisalabad right by improving infrastructure, easing business regulation, and investing in skills development, we can transform national productivity. My political grounding in Faisalabad helps me stay connected to the grassroots while shaping federal policy, especially connecting the locals to the global scale as you share trade diplomacy.
TDI: Your role as Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Commerce and Industries sounds both intense and impactful. Could you walk us through what your typical day looks like and how you approach your responsibilities?
Indeed, the role is demanding, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. Commerce is one of the busiest and most crucial ministries in the government because it directly connects to Pakistan’s economic growth, exports, and global competitiveness. My primary mandate is to enhance trade and maintain oversight of policies related to commerce and industry. That means I work very closely with the Ministry of Commerce and other related departments to ensure that the Prime Minister’s vision is translated into action.
I also head the Prime Minister’s Delivery Unit, which is responsible for following up on directives issued by the Prime Minister’s Office and tracking their implementation across ministries. On any given day, I’m reviewing progress reports, identifying bottlenecks, facilitating inter-ministerial coordination, and helping ministries stay aligned with their roadmaps.
Every day presents new challenges, whether it’s resolving issues in trade facilitation, fast-tracking industrial development projects, or aligning stakeholders across federal and provincial levels. But it’s also fulfilling to know that this work has a direct impact on the country’s economy and the people who depend on these policies to grow their businesses and livelihoods. My goal is to ensure that our trade policies are not just well-drafted but well-delivered, and that Pakistan’s economic engine moves forward with clarity, pace, and purpose.
Q: Let’s turn to global developments. With the U.S. imposing new tariffs, how is Pakistan positioning itself amid rising trade tensions?
The evolving global trade environment, particularly recent developments concerning tariff adjustments by the United States, is something we are observing with careful attention. We remain fully engaged with our partners to ensure that our trade relationships are rooted in mutual benefit, transparency, and long-term cooperation.
Our approach is guided by economic diplomacy that seeks to foster stability rather than reaction. We believe in diversification, expanding into new markets, and strengthening value-added exports so that Pakistan’s trade outlook remains resilient and adaptive. At the same time, we continue to engage in constructive dialogue with our U.S. counterparts through institutional mechanisms and diplomatic channels to ensure that any future policy shifts take into account the spirit of collaboration that has historically defined Pakistan–U.S. economic relations.
As a government, our focus is on strengthening local industries, improving competitiveness, and removing structural bottlenecks. In an interconnected world, challenges are inevitable—but so are opportunities. Our job is to position Pakistan in a way that it can navigate both with confidence, strategic foresight, and an unwavering commitment to growth.
TDI: What is your vision for Pakistan’s trade diplomacy in this new global context?
Trade diplomacy must be agile, evidence-based, and mutually beneficial. Our aim is to move from transactional trade relationships to strategic partnerships. That means deepening ties with countries across the world. We are aligning our trade priorities with geo-economic realities. We also seek to modernize our trade frameworks through digitization, simplification of customs procedures, and regulatory reforms to reduce the cost of doing business.
TDI: What do you see as Pakistan’s comparative advantage in global trade?
Pakistan’s advantage lies in its human capital, strategic location, and untapped industrial capacity. Our textile sector remains globally competitive, but we are also seeing rapid growth in IT services, food processing, and pharmaceuticals. With the right investment in technology and policy consistency, we can become a key player in global value chains. Our goal is to evolve from exporting raw materials to exporting high-value, knowledge-driven goods and services.
Q: What message would you like to share with our readers, and your vision for Pakistan in the next ten years?
Pakistan is a country of opportunity with resilient people, vast markets, and a young population ready to innovate. We understand the challenges, but we are equally focused on the solutions. My message to our diplomatic and business partners is this: Let’s work together. Let’s build frameworks that are inclusive, forward-looking, and anchored in mutual benefit. We are open for trade, open for investment, and open for dialogue. Whether it’s in commerce, industry, or sustainable development, Pakistan welcomes partners who are ready to co-create a better future.
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