KARACHI, April 14, 2026 — Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Tuesday urged the business community to repatriate at least 30% of their overseas assets, equivalent to about $10 billion, ahead of the federal budget 2026–27, as the country grapples with external financing pressures and falling foreign exchange buffers.
Addressing a business forum at the Federation House in Karachi, Naqvi said the return of private capital could help ease pressure on Pakistan’s external account at a time when reserves remain under strain.
“The business community is requested to bring back at least 30% of their money from abroad,” Naqvi said. “If businessmen decide today, up to $10 billion can return before the budget.”
The appeal comes as Pakistan prepares to repay around $3.5 billion to the United Arab Emirates this month after failing to secure a rollover of the facility for the first time in seven years. The repayment is expected to further tighten foreign exchange reserves, currently estimated at around $16 billion, enough to cover roughly three months of imports.
Pakistan is also engaged in discussions with Saudi Arabia and China for additional bilateral financial support as it seeks to stabilise external financing conditions.
The country last month reached a staff-level agreement with the International Monetary Fund for a $1.2 billion tranche under its $7 billion bailout programme. Pakistan has relied on IMF assistance more than two dozen times since the 1960s, underscoring its recurring balance-of-payments challenges.
Naqvi said the government is working to improve investor confidence and ensure better returns for capital inflows. “Pakistan offers profit opportunities that cannot be found elsewhere in the world,” he said, adding that policy reforms are aimed at strengthening long-term economic stability.
He said proposals are being developed to relax visa procedures for traders and investors, which will be submitted to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for approval.
The minister also said reforms were underway to make the Federal Investigation Agency more business-friendly, stressing that the wider business community should not be penalised for the actions of a few individuals.
“We cannot punish the whole business community because of one or two percent of people,” he said.
Naqvi further raised concerns over unregulated financial flows through money changers, saying authorities were monitoring large transactions involving major business groups. He warned that enforcement would be tightened with no leniency for violations.
Despite current economic challenges, Naqvi said Pakistan aims to improve its global standing, including raising the country’s passport ranking from 99 to 50 through governance and policy reforms.