Pakistan’s economic leaders spotlight growth, investment

March 25, 2026 (MLN): Pakistan’s leading business and industry voices are steering the country toward diversification, export growth, and investment opportunities, according to a recent Gulf News feature.

Muzzammil Aslam, Provincial Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for Finance, highlighted the province’s strong financial reforms and investment potential.

“My first priority was to build financial buffers, based on expenditure rationalisation, resource optimisation, and tax maximisation,” Aslam said.

“Over the past 18 months, we have increased reserves from roughly $85–90m to approximately $1.1 bn. This strengthens our ability to make long-term commitments in education, healthcare, and security.”

The minister emphasized KP’s opportunities in tourism, minerals such as marble and rare earth elements, and its strategic potential as a regional trade corridor linking Pakistan, Central Asia, and China.

From a household ice cream brand to a diversified FMCG company, IGLOO Pakistan has evolved over five decades. Established in 1971, the company now spans ice cream, frozen foods, industrial chocolate, cheese, and foodservice supplies, serving retail and B2B markets nationwide.

“Over the past 10 years, we have transformed the company,” said Karim Teli, Managing Director and CEO of IGLOO Pakistan.

“Our strategy focuses on delivering quality, quantity, and competitive pricing, because that is what local consumers value.”

New product lines include frozen parathas, puris, and chapatis, alongside one of Pakistan’s largest chocolate operations producing chocolate chips, coatings, and spreads.

A dedicated division supplies mozzarella and cheddar to pizzerias, while a vegan cheese line is in development. IGLOO has also made its first export shipment to Dubai, signaling its international ambitions.

The company’s domestic presence is strengthened by Dip Shop, its customizable ice cream parlour concept, and institutional supply to restaurants and cafés, with premium chocolate production differentiating its offerings.

The Pakistan Business Council (PBC), representing the country’s largest private enterprises, continues to advocate for policy stability and investor confidence. Dr. Zeelaf Munir, Chairperson of PBC, said:

“For both international and local investors, we provide credibility and scale.”

PBC’s five strategic pillars predictable policy, competitive exports, industrial depth, regulatory efficiency, and sustainability guide advocacy on tax policy, industrial development, and ESG integration.

Its members contribute 11% of GDP, 40% of exports, and 33% of tax revenues, making the council a key bridge between global capital and regional opportunities.

Karachi-based Mehran Bottlers, maker of the iconic Pakola soft drink, has expanded its international footprint under CEO Zeeshan Habib Teli.

Founded in 1979 and building on a legacy dating back to 1950, the company now exports to 18 countries, including North America, Australia, and the UAE.

The Faisalabad facility has been pivotal in scaling production. “Previously, Pakistan consumed around 200m cans annually.

Today, it consumes 400–500m, and about 150m of them are filled by us,” Teli said. The facility supports a toll-manufacturing model accounting for roughly half of volumes, offering UAE investors a direct way to test the Pakistani market, with plans to double capacity in 2026.
These stories show a broader narrative. Pakistani companies are innovating, expanding globally, and contributing to long-term economic growth, signaling a promising outlook for investors and consumers alike.

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