M. Zahid Raffat<\/p>\n
Pakistan\u2019s need for investment\u2014be it local or, ide\u00adally, foreign\u2014has never been more pressing. With the economy teetering on uncertain footing, at\u00adtracting investments across various sectors is essential to stabilise the nation and set it on a sustainable path toward growth and prosperity.
\nIn this light, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has been working relentlessly, crisscrossing friendly nations in a determined effort to bring investment home. Whether meeting heads of state or private business lead\u00aders, his message has been clear: visit Pakistan, ex\u00adplore its potential, and seize the opportunities avail\u00adable. To back up this outreach, he established the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), a high-powered body designed to clear red tape and provide a one-stop shop for investors. Under his leadership, the SIFC has been diligently paving the way, ensuring his vision for investment isn\u2019t just talk but a practical reality.
\nLast month, as part of this \u201chot pursuit\u201d of foreign investment, PM Shehbaz undertook two back-to-back visits\u2014first to Saudi Arabia and then to Qatar. These trips, though brief, were packed with significance, em\u00adbodying a shift in national strategy from relying on aid to building robust trade and investment partnerships.
\nIn Riyadh, the Prime Minister participated in the 8th Future Investment Initiative (FII), a marquee event that attracts global leaders and innovators. The theme, \u201cInfinite Horizons: Investing Today, Shaping Tomor\u00adrow,\u201d seemed tailor-made for Shehbaz\u2019s pitch. It was his second time attending the forum, having made his debut at FII in October 2022.
\nDuring his address, the Prime Minister didn\u2019t mince words. He spoke about the imperative of a knowledge-based economy, driven by innovation in fields like ar\u00adtificial intelligence (AI), education, and healthcare. He made a heartfelt appeal for global collaboration, empha\u00adsising that no country could face today\u2019s challenges or unlock tomorrow\u2019s potential alone. \u201cPakistan is ready to join those who dare to dream big,\u201d he declared, inviting global leaders to bring their expertise and creativity to Pakistan. He described the nation as being on a trans\u00adformative journey of resilience, sacrifice, and relentless pursuit of growth, while reiterating Pakistan\u2019s commit\u00adment to not just embracing AI but excelling in it.
\nThe highlight of the visit was a one-on-one meet\u00ading with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS). The two leaders discussed plans to further ex\u00adpand economic cooperation, reflecting on the strong religious and cultural bonds between their countries. Shehbaz praised the Crown Prince\u2019s visionary Sau\u00addi Vision 2030, noting how closely it aligns with Pak\u00adistan\u2019s own developmental goals. They also took a mo\u00adment to discuss the Gaza conflict, expressing shared outrage at the ongoing violence and devastation.
\nOn the economic front, the visit bore tangible re\u00adsults. Saudi Arabia\u2019s investment in Pakistan rose to $2.8 billion from $2.2 billion, bolstered by several new Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), bringing the total to 34 agreements.
\nFrom Riyadh, the Prime Minister wasted no time and dashed to Doha for a two-day official visit to Qa\u00adtar. This wasn\u2019t his first time visiting the Gulf nation, as he has consistently sought to deepen ties with a coun\u00adtry already making significant investments in Paki\u00adstan\u2019s economy across sectors like agriculture, IT, fi\u00adnance, and real estate.
\nIn his meetings with Qatari leadership, PM Shehbaz secured an impressive $3 billion in fresh investments. The discussions were marked by warmth and mutu\u00adal respect, with both sides reaffirming their commit\u00adment to enhancing strategic ties. To follow up, a high-level Qatari delegation is expected to visit Pakistan soon to finalise the details of these new investments.
\nThe Prime Minister\u2019s whirlwind visits to Saudi Arabia and Qatar weren\u2019t just diplomatic niceties\u2014they were ac\u00adtion-packed, result-oriented missions. Not only did they strengthen Pakistan\u2019s bonds with two brotherly nations, but they also brought in much-needed foreign investment. As Shehbaz himself has stressed, this inflow of capital is a top priority for Pakistan, one that bodes well for its econ\u00adomy and, more importantly, its people. At a time when the nation needs every boost it can get, these efforts offer a glimmer of hope and a tangible step toward progress.<\/p>\n
The writer is Lahore-based Freelance Journalist, Columnist and retired Deputy Controller (News), Radio Pakistan, Islamabad and can be reached at zahidriffat@gmail.com<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
M. Zahid Raffat Pakistan\u2019s need for investment\u2014be it local or, ide\u00adally, foreign\u2014has never been more pressing. With the economy teetering on uncertain footing, at\u00adtracting investments across various sectors is essential to stabilise the nation and set it on a sustainable path toward growth and prosperity. In this light, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has been […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[13433],"class_list":{"0":"post-444328","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-article","7":"tag-m-zahid-raffat"},"yoast_head":"\n