Overseas Pakistanis to get dedicated platform to invest in infrastructure

September 11, 2026 (MLN): The federal government is considering a dedicated investment mechanism to enable overseas Pakistanis to invest in commercially viable infrastructure projects, while authorities have been directed to accelerate bankable projects under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework.

Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Establishment Division Senator Ahad Cheema called for developing an investment fund or similar platform that would allow overseas Pakistanis to participate in major national infrastructure projects without directly establishing or managing businesses in Pakistan.

The proposed mechanism is intended to provide transparent and commercially attractive investment opportunities, with safeguards and clearly defined returns, according to an official statement.

The minister said such a platform could channel overseas savings into productive national assets, including railway and highway projects, while creating an additional financing avenue for Pakistan's infrastructure needs.

Advisor to the Prime Minister on Privatisation Muhammad Ali supported the proposal and agreed to examine its development into a workable investment framework.

Meanwhile, the government reviewed a pipeline of PPP projects spanning railways, highways, power, civic infrastructure and airports.

On the Main Line-1 (ML-1) railway project, Cheema said multilateral and development partners would remain the government's first financing priority.

The Karachi-Rohri section is being pursued with the Asian Development Bank, while PPP financing for other sections would remain a secondary option.

However, the minister directed the Public Private Partnership Authority (P3A) to assess the feasibility of developing the Lahore-Rawalpindi section under a PPP model, particularly given its potential to reduce travel time between the two cities.

The meeting also reviewed the Kharian-Rawalpindi Motorway project, with P3A, National Highway Authority (NHA) and other authorities directed to accelerate technical and preparatory work following approval from the Prime Minister's Office.

In the power sector, the minister backed the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) smart metering project under the PPP framework, noting that modern metering could improve the operational and commercial position of power distribution companies and support the planned privatisation of DISCOs.

The Gandhara Culture project and expansion of Capital Hospital were also identified as potential PPP projects.

The government further reviewed airport projects expected to be brought to market during 2027 and 2028.

Cheema directed authorities to refine the overall PPP pipeline and convert commercially viable projects into bankable proposals with clear timelines.

He also called for regular high-level reviews of the PPP portfolio, with mature projects to be placed before the prime minister for consideration.

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