Finance Minister, PBC discuss investment climate, Tax reforms

August 12, 2026 (MLN): The government reiterated its focus on private-sector-led growth, urging businesses to accelerate technological and digital transformation to remain competitive, while reaffirming commitment to a streamlined regulatory framework, structured tax reforms and mobilization of international financing to strengthen Pakistan's investment climate.

Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, held a meeting with newly-elected Chairman of the Pakistan Business Council (PBC), Mr. Ziad Bashir, and PBC Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Javed Kureishi, where matters relating to investment, business competitiveness, regulatory reforms and private-sector participation in economic development came under discussion.

Extending his best wishes to Mr. Bashir on assuming his new role, the finance minister called for stronger focus on investment and highlighted the need for enterprises to adopt tech-driven business models and improve efficiency to stay competitive in changing markets.

He also stressed the need for more focused, actionable engagement between the government and the business community, encouraging PBC to undertake concise, sector-specific research that could support informed policymaking, said a press release issued.

Senator Aurangzeb underlined the importance of aligning Pakistan's policies with evolving global practices and drawing on international experience, calling for continued collaboration between the public and private sectors to identify opportunities and address gaps.

On the regulatory front, the finance minister reaffirmed that reform efforts remain centered on practical measures to facilitate business activity, improve competitiveness and support investment.

He also discussed avenues for mobilizing international financing through institutions such as the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and the U.S. Export-Import Bank (EXIM), stressing the need to present specific, commercially viable and investment-ready projects to potential financiers.

The discussion also touched on Pakistan's tax policy, with the minister welcoming structured input from the business community as part of the ongoing development of a medium-term tax policy framework aimed at supporting sustainable investment and growth.

He called for a balanced approach wherein the government addresses policy and regulatory constraints while businesses contribute through investment, innovation and productivity gains.

For their part, Mr. Bashir and Mr. Kureishi appreciated the government's continued engagement with the business community and termed the current federal budget among the most promising in recent years, reaffirming PBC's willingness to provide sector-specific input and work with the government on strengthening the investment climate.

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