ISLAMABAD
\nPresident of Pakistan Business Network (PBN) Omar Butt on Tuesday commended the country\u2019s civil and military leaders for their diplomatic handling of the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, stating that their approach has enhanced Pakistan\u2019s global standing and helped mitigate economic risks.
\nHe praised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir for what he called \u201cprincipled and courageous\u201d navigation through a highly complex regional crisis. He noted that Pakistan\u2019s focus on dialogue and neutrality has allowed it to become a credible mediator during a time of increased tensions.
\nOmar Butt mentioned that Pakistan is positioning itself at the forefront of mediation efforts, with signs that Islamabad may soon host direct talks between top US and Iranian officials. This initiative has involved high-level outreach, including contacts between military leadership and Washington, along with parallel engagement with Tehran.
\nThe business leader emphasized that the stakes for Pakistan\u2019s economy are still high. The country shares a 900-kilometer border with Iran and depends heavily on Gulf shipping lanes for energy imports, sourcing about 90 percent of its oil from the region.
\nAny further disruption to these routes could increase fuel prices, boost the import bill, and add inflationary pressures at a time when Pakistan remains under an IMF stabilization program.
\nHe also highlighted that millions of Pakistani workers in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries face potential risks if the conflict intensifies, underscoring the connection between regional stability and household income.
\nAccording to Butt, Pakistan\u2019s focus on diplomacy has helped sustain some economic stability, allowing trade and investment to continue despite external uncertainties. He suggested that Pakistan\u2019s evolving mediatory role could boost its international credibility and deepen cooperation with global partners.
\nPakistan\u2019s external position remains vulnerable to oil price fluctuations and currency pressures, with policymakers closely monitoring the situation. Contingency plans are being developed to handle potential spikes in energy costs and safeguard foreign exchange reserves.
\nContinued de-escalation could help lower inflation and boost market confidence, especially in energy-dependent sectors. Nonetheless, he warned that a prolonged conflict could undermine recent macroeconomic stabilization efforts and hinder economic recovery. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISLAMABAD President of Pakistan Business Network (PBN) Omar Butt on Tuesday commended the country\u2019s civil and military leaders for their diplomatic handling of the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, stating that their approach has enhanced Pakistan\u2019s global standing and helped mitigate economic risks. He praised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-538072","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-business"},"yoast_head":"\n