Govt, SRF discuss investment opportunities in energy, infrastructure

August 21, 2026 (MLN): The Government of Pakistan and the Silk Road Fund (SRF), a major Chinese investment fund, discussed avenues for greater economic and investment cooperation, including opportunities in energy, infrastructure, manufacturing and the country's privatization programme.

Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, held the meeting with a high-level SRF delegation led by its Chairperson, Ms. Zhu Jun, said a press release issued.

The Finance Minister welcomed the delegation and briefed them on Pakistan's recent economic progress, including improvements in fiscal discipline, external account stability, foreign exchange reserves and the overall macroeconomic outlook, noting the government's focus on maintaining stability while pursuing structural reforms and sustainable growth.

Senator Aurangzeb outlined the government's efforts to strengthen domestic resource mobilization, broaden the tax base, improve tax administration through digitalization and address structural challenges in the energy sector, alongside its focus on export-led growth and a stronger business environment to facilitate private investment.

The Minister said the government was working to create a more conducive environment for long-term investment by improving policy predictability, strengthening institutional frameworks and advancing reforms across key sectors, adding that greater collaboration with leading international investment institutions such as SRF could support capital formation, infrastructure development and the expansion of productive economic activity.

The discussion also covered Pakistan's privatization programme and investment opportunities in infrastructure, energy and manufacturing, with the Minister stressing the importance of greater participation by both domestic and international investors in the country's investment and privatization initiatives.

The SRF delegation expressed interest in further engagement with Pakistan and appreciated the progress made in strengthening the country's macroeconomic fundamentals.

Ms. Zhu Jun said the delegation had been impressed by the quality and potential of several private-sector projects it had reviewed, as well as the strength of Pakistan's private sector, and highlighted SRF's interest in exploring further investment opportunities in infrastructure, energy, private sector development and projects with broader economic and social impact.

The delegation also discussed opportunities arising from Pakistan's ongoing power sector reforms, including transmission, distribution and broader structural changes aimed at improving efficiency and attracting investment.

The Finance Minister welcomed the delegation's positive assessment of Pakistan's private sector and emphasized building stronger linkages between international institutional capital and credible, commercially viable projects in the country, encouraging continued engagement between Pakistani authorities, the private sector and SRF to identify viable investment opportunities.

The SRF delegation included Mr. Fu Lingzhi, Deputy Head of Legal Department; Mr. Cheng Liang, Senior Executive Director, Department IV; Mr. Wang Fuwei, Executive Director, Investment Department; and Ms. Mi Keyang, Senior Manager, Investment Department. Senior officials from the Finance Division, Economic Affairs Division, and Special Investment Facilitation Council also attended the meeting.

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