Global digital operator VEON Ltd. has launched a new international investment initiative titled “Invest in Pakistan, NOW!” in partnership with JazzWorld, its digital services company in Pakistan. The initiative was unveiled during the World Governments Summit in Dubai and aims to encourage global investors to reassess Pakistan as its economic fundamentals stabilize and long-term growth prospects become increasingly visible.
The initiative positions Pakistan as an emerging destination for digital investment, innovation, and public-private partnerships, highlighting the country’s improving macroeconomic outlook, expanding digital infrastructure, and large, youthful population. VEON said the program is designed to spark renewed investor confidence and draw attention to opportunities across technology-driven sectors.
As part of the launch, JazzWorld and Pakistan-based Nutshell Group signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote dialogue and collaboration around digitalization, inclusive growth, and cross-border investment. The partnership is expected to facilitate engagement between international investors, policymakers, and Pakistan’s private sector.
The MoU signing ceremony was attended by Pakistan’s Minister of State for Finance and Railways, Bilal Azhar Kiyani, and Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UAE, Shafqat Ali Khan. Senior diplomats, business leaders, and key executives from VEON and JazzWorld were also present, including VEON Founder and Chairman Augie Fabela, VEON Board Member Rt. Hon. Sir Brandon Lewis CBE, VEON Group CEO Kaan Terzioglu, and JazzWorld CEO and VEON Group Executive Committee member Aamir Ibrahim.
Zaheer Mehdi, Chief Corporate and Regulatory Affairs Officer of JazzWorld, and Muhammad Azfar Ahsan, Founder and Chairman of Nutshell Group, formally signed the MoU. The agreement aims to create a structured platform for collaboration on investment promotion, digital transformation initiatives, and policy dialogue to support sustainable economic growth in Pakistan.
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Bilal Azhar Kiyani said Pakistan has achieved macroeconomic stability through sustained government efforts to restore investor confidence and improve the business environment. He welcomed the initiative, noting that partnerships involving digitalization and cross-border investment could serve as a model for other foreign investors considering Pakistan. The minister emphasized that technology-led growth will play a central role in Pakistan’s future economic development.
VEON Group CEO Kaan Terzioglu described the current period as a turning point driven by artificial intelligence and human-centered innovation. He said the “Invest in Pakistan, NOW!” initiative seeks to ignite international investor interest and encourage a new wave of public-private collaboration. Terzioglu added that launching the initiative at the World Governments Summit in Dubai, where VEON’s headquarters are located, underscored the company’s commitment to emerging markets and long-term growth.
JazzWorld CEO Aamir Ibrahim highlighted Pakistan’s resilience and scale as key factors for investors. He said the country’s long-term fundamentals are becoming stronger and more visible, particularly with the presence of national-scale digital platforms. According to Ibrahim, Pakistan is well positioned for its next phase of growth, offering compelling opportunities for regional and global investors across multiple sectors.
VEON’s operations in Pakistan provide a practical example of the country’s digital potential. Through JazzWorld’s ecosystem, which includes connectivity, digital financial services, and digital entertainment platforms, the company serves around 100 million customers. JazzWorld continues to expand into enterprise solutions, insurance, digital healthcare, online marketplaces, and other adjacent services, while also developing an Urdu large language model to support Pakistan’s ambitions in artificial intelligence and local-language innovation.
The “Invest in Pakistan, NOW!” initiative builds on VEON’s long-standing presence in the country. JazzWorld has invested more than $11 billion in Pakistan since 1994, reflecting sustained confidence in the market. VEON said the initiative reinforces its broader commitment to emerging economies and aims to translate strategic dialogue into tangible investment and growth opportunities for Pakistan.
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