Pakistan developing National Private Equity Framework

Business Recorder reported that Pakistan is developing a National Private Equity Framework to channel institutional money into businesses and projects. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb made the remarks in London at the J.P. Morgan Emerging and Frontier Markets Opportunities Conference, saying the government wants private investment to play a bigger part in the next stage of growth. An official statement read out on Friday carried his comments.

Aurangzeb set out six priorities, among them making macroeconomic stability permanent, shifting from stabilisation to productivity-led growth, continuing structural reforms, and turning away from aid in favour of trade and investment. He also cited wider access to finance and positioning Pakistan for digitalisation, blockchain and Web 3.0. Governor Jameel Ahmad of the State Bank of Pakistan pointed to stronger foreign exchange reserves, rising remittances and progress in containing inflation.

According to the statement, 55 global investment funds held one-on-one meetings and a full investor session with the Pakistani delegation. The finance minister also said the government wants deeper equity and corporate debt markets, more IPO activity and better market infrastructure, alongside growth in Islamic finance and Sukuk markets. He stressed that public balance sheets alone cannot finance the next phase, so private capital must take a larger share.