Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb says investor confidence is improving as Pakistan moves from economic stabilisation towards investment, exports and private-sector-led growth.
Web Desk: Foreign companies are showing increasing interest in investing in Pakistan following improvements in economic stability, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said on Thursday.
Addressing the media at the Overseas Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Karachi, Aurangzeb said Pakistan’s economy was moving in the right direction and that restoring confidence among domestic investors was helping attract foreign interest.
The finance minister described the process as a sequence in which economic stability first restores confidence among local investors, followed by greater interest from international investors.
PIA Privatisation Attracts Investor Interest
Aurangzeb cited the privatisation of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) as an example of increased private-sector participation.
He said two large local conglomerates submitted bids for the national airline, with bids totalling $1.2 billion.
The minister said there had been no foreign participation in the PIA bidding process, but argued that the transaction demonstrated improving confidence among domestic investors.
Pakistan’s Privatisation Commission has separately confirmed progress in the PIA transaction, including the successful bidder’s proposed consortium structure.
Saudi and Turkish Interest in DISCOs
Aurangzeb also pointed to growing investor interest in Pakistan’s state-owned electricity distribution companies, known as DISCOs.
He said Saudi and Turkish investors had shown interest in the privatisation of the first three DISCOs. According to the minister, three Turkish firms have subsequently joined local investors in expressing interest.
The government’s Privatisation Commission has been advancing the privatisation programme for DISCOs, with official records showing active processes involving FESCO, GEPCO and IESCO.
Government Seeks Shift From Stability to Investment
Aurangzeb said the government was formulating a comprehensive plan to increase investment and move the economy towards sustainable, export-led growth.
The Finance Ministry has previously outlined a similar transition from stabilisation towards investment, capital formation, exports and private-sector-led growth.
At a September conference in London, the ministry said 55 global investment funds engaged with Pakistan’s delegation through one-on-one meetings and an investor session. The government said discussions focused on investment opportunities and Pakistan’s future economic direction.
The Finance Ministry has also reported investment discussions with international institutions, including British International Investment, and said the government is seeking to mobilise greater private capital in infrastructure, climate finance, private equity and other sectors.
FBR Exceeds September Tax Target
The finance minister also highlighted the Federal Board of Revenue’s September performance.
According to figures reported by Geo, FBR collected Rs3.066 trillion during the first three months of the fiscal year, compared with a target of Rs3.053 trillion for the period. September collection alone stood at Rs1.343 trillion.
FBR’s official website confirms that the tax authority reported its September 30 collection results, although the detailed figures should be distinguished from the minister’s broader assessment of economic performance.
Inflation and Global Oil Prices Remain a Challenge
Aurangzeb said the government had brought inflation down to single digits but acknowledged that inflationary pressure had returned amid higher global oil prices linked to the US-Iran conflict.
The development highlights the external risks facing Pakistan even as the government seeks to consolidate economic stability.
The Finance Ministry has similarly said in recent weeks that the Middle East conflict and higher global oil prices are among the external pressures affecting Pakistan’s economic outlook.
From Stabilisation to Sustainable Growth
Aurangzeb said Pakistan needs to avoid the repeated boom-and-bust cycles that have affected its economy and instead build an export-led growth model.
The government’s broader economic programme includes fiscal reforms, privatisation, expansion of the private sector and efforts to attract domestic and international capital.
While the finance minister says foreign interest is increasing, actual investment commitments and completed transactions remain separate from expressions of interest. The latest comments therefore indicate growing reported investor engagement rather than confirmation that all interested companies have committed capital.
