Finance Minister, PBC discuss investment climate, Tax reforms

Mettis Global reported that Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb met Ziad Bashir, the newly chosen chairman of the Pakistan Business Council, along with its chief executive Javed Kureishi. The talks covered investment, competitiveness, regulatory changes and private sector involvement in economic development. Aurangzeb urged companies to adopt technology-driven models and raise efficiency so they can keep pace with shifting markets.

On regulation, the minister said reforms would focus on practical steps that ease doing business, lift competitiveness and back investment. He also discussed raising financing from the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation and the U.S. Export-Import Bank, asking for projects that are specific, commercially viable and ready for financiers. On tax, he welcomed organized feedback from businesses on a medium-term tax policy framework meant to support lasting investment and growth.

Bashir and Kureishi praised the government's ongoing dialogue with the private sector and described the current federal budget as one of the strongest in recent years. They pledged sector-specific input from the council to help strengthen the investment environment. Aurangzeb had also asked the council for brief, sector-focused research to guide policy decisions.