Sultan Ali Allana, Chairman of Habib Bank Limited (HBL), today issued a compelling call for agricultural reform, asserting that Pakistan’s fundamental stability and food security are contingent on a revitalized approach to the sector.

Speaking at the Pakistan Business Council’s 4th edition of its ‘Dialogue on the Economy 2025’, the HBL chairman positioned the agricultural domain not merely as an economic segment but as the very foundation of national resilience.

‘Agriculture is not just an economic sector, it is the foundation of our nation’s stability, our food security, and our ability to grow with dignity,’ Allana remarked during his address.

He underscored the critical importance of modernizing farming, stating that a successful agricultural industry is key to building a more prosperous and resilient nation. ‘If we get agriculture right, we don’t just protect the backbone of Pakistan’s economy, we build a more resilient and prosperous Pakistan on top of it,’ he added.

Allana urged that the concept ‘Beyond Banking, Sowing Change’ must transition from a slogan into a concrete national strategy and a widespread movement.

This proposed national endeavor, he detailed, must commit Pakistan to aligning agricultural policy with public and private investment and concerted community efforts. The primary objectives are to secure higher yields, implement smarter farming technologies, advance water conservation, and guarantee long-term food security.

According to the source, the HBL Group is operationalising this vision through its initiatives by connecting farmers to essential services across the agri-value chain, including agronomy, mechanization, warehousing, advisory support, and market access.