Muhammad Azfar Ahsan, the former Minister for Investment and Chairman of Nutshell Group, recently participated in a high-level debate on “Promoting Forex-Accretive, Technology-Intensive Investment” at the “Dialogue on the Economy” event hosted by the Pakistan Business Council. The event, attended by 125 key industry leaders, focused on the future of Pakistan’s economic growth and investment opportunities, particularly in the technology and forex-generating sectors. Azfar Ahsan emphasized the critical role political stability plays in fostering a thriving investment climate. He highlighted that for Pakistan to attract significant investment, it must ensure a stable and predictable environment for both local and foreign investors.
Ahsan’s message was clear: all stakeholders, including both the government and private sector, must prioritize facilitating and expanding existing investments. He stressed the importance of allowing businesses to scale, reinvest, and form joint ventures, particularly with foreign investors, to drive economic growth. According to Ahsan, wealth creation can only occur when businesses are given the space to grow and form mutually beneficial collaborations. He believes the government should step back from direct involvement in business activities and instead focus on creating policies and frameworks that encourage such collaborations.
“Political stability is critical. It is the bedrock on which investors build confidence. If we want to attract significant investment, we must ensure that the environment remains predictable and stable.”
The debate also featured Ahsan’s views on the essential role of the state in protecting investors while ensuring that business-to-business (B2B) investments remain driven by the private sector. He argued that the government should focus on creating an investor-friendly environment through policies, regulations, and institutional support, rather than engaging directly in business operations. This, he believes, would help create a more sustainable and appealing investment climate. Ahsan stated,
“The government must create policies, regulatory frameworks, and institutional support that foster an investor-friendly environment. Investors are looking for clarity and stability, not frequent interventions.”
Ahsan also addressed the importance of long-term economic planning, calling for the development of a minimum 20-year investment roadmap with a guarantee of policy continuity for at least 10 to 12 years. He explained that frequent shifts in policy only serve to erode investor confidence and discourage long-term investment. Ahsan believes that only by ensuring stability and predictability in policies can Pakistan attract the technology-intensive and forex-accumulating investments that are essential for the country’s economic progress.
“Long-term planning is the key to attracting large-scale, forex-generating investments. We need to give investors a clear view of the future and ensure that policies remain stable.”
The debate also featured other notable industry leaders, such as Muhammad Ali Tabba, CEO of Lucky Cement & YBG Group, Arif Saeed, CEO of Servis Group, and Kamran Kamal, CEO of HUBCO & BYD, who shared their own insights on the challenges and opportunities for investors in Pakistan. The session was moderated by Ali Khizer, Director Research at Business Recorder, who facilitated a robust exchange of ideas. The event highlighted the need for a comprehensive approach to improving Pakistan’s investment climate, with an emphasis on policy stability, investor protection, and long-term planning.
Azfar Ahsan’s participation in the event underscores the importance of these issues in shaping the future of Pakistan’s economy. His advocacy for political stability, a supportive policy environment, and long-term economic planning offers a clear path toward creating a more attractive investment climate. As the country navigates its economic challenges, Ahsan’s vision for a stable, investor-friendly environment is more crucial than ever. With the right policies and a focus on wealth creation through strategic partnerships and long-term planning, Pakistan can position itself as a leading destination for foreign and domestic investment, paving the way for sustained economic growth.
