Islamabad, March 14, 2025 – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has instructed authorities to introduce a well-structured scheme for long-term investment in Pakistan, emphasizing its critical role in economic growth.
Prime Minister Shehbaz on Friday reiterated his government’s commitment to supporting businessmen by fostering investment opportunities and boosting exports to achieve sustainable economic development. Speaking to a delegation of prominent business leaders, Shehbaz stressed that long-term investment is essential for economic stability and progress.
He directed that a comprehensive investment scheme be introduced to attract domestic and foreign investors. A dedicated committee has already been established to develop an export facilitation scheme to further encourage investment in trade and industry. Shehbaz stated that the committee would soon present its recommendations for approval.
Highlighting the economic turnaround, Shehbaz credited his economic team for steering Pakistan towards stability. “With the grace of Allah and the relentless efforts of our team, the economy has regained stability and is now progressing at a promising pace,” he remarked. He urged all stakeholders to collaborate for the country’s economic advancement.
Shehbaz reaffirmed that addressing the concerns of the business community remains a top priority. The government is implementing various measures to facilitate investors, including digitalizing the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and introducing other financial reforms. He noted that the clearance time for containers at ports had significantly decreased due to the introduction of the Faceless Custom Clearance System, benefiting importers and exporters alike.
Discussing workforce development, Shehbaz emphasized the importance of training youth to provide skilled manpower for industries, further strengthening Pakistan’s investment climate. “We are integrating all professional training institutions under one umbrella to ensure a unified and efficient system,” he added.
Business leaders praised Shehbaz and his economic team for their policies, stating that Pakistan was now moving towards sustainable progress. They lauded the government’s efforts to generate revenue through new investment-friendly initiatives and its commitment to strengthening the national treasury. The Uraan Pakistan programme and the broader economic roadmap received particular appreciation for their role in fostering investment and professional skill development.
The delegation commended Shehbaz for facilitating consultation with the business community, especially during budget formulation. They acknowledged the government’s seriousness in addressing business-related concerns for the first time in decades.
Federal ministers, including Ahsan Iqbal, Rana Tanvir Hussain, Ahad Khan Cheema, Muhammad Aurangzaib, Attaullah Tarar, Hanif Abbasi, Sardar Awais Khan Leghari, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Ali Pervaiz Malik, Minister of State Bilal Azhar Kiyani, Special Assistant Haroon Akhtar, and Coordinator to the Prime Minister Rana Ihsaan Afzal, along with other officials, attended the meeting.
The business community provided valuable suggestions regarding investment policies and economic reforms. In response, Shehbaz instructed relevant ministries and secretaries to hold further consultations and develop a policy strategy based on the recommendations, ensuring that Pakistan’s investment framework remains competitive and attractive for local and international investors.