Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has invited Pakistani business leaders and professionals based in the United States to invest in Pakistan, highlighting government measures aimed at improving the business environment and addressing concerns of the private sector.
The invitation came during meetings in New York, where the prime minister met delegations representing sectors including information technology, artificial intelligence, automobiles, energy and construction.
Shehbaz Sharif highlighted reforms at the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and said the government was taking steps to create a more conducive environment for investment and business activity.
Key Takeaways
- Who: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif
- Location: New York, United States
- Target investors: Pakistani business leaders and professionals based in the US
- Sectors represented: IT, AI, automobiles, energy, construction and others
- Key reform highlighted: Federal Board of Revenue reforms
- Agriculture focus: Innovation, technology and modernisation
- Other priorities: Industry, exports and investment
- Broader objective: Attract investment and strengthen business activity in Pakistan
PM Calls on Pakistani Business Community to Invest
During his meetings in New York, Shehbaz Sharif invited Pakistani business personalities and professionals living in the United States to explore investment opportunities in Pakistan.
The delegations represented several major sectors of the economy, including IT, artificial intelligence, automobiles, energy and construction.
The prime minister described Pakistani businesspeople and professionals working around the world as contributors to the country’s international image and encouraged them to play a role in Pakistan’s economic development.
FBR Reforms Highlighted During Meetings
A key part of the discussions was the government’s reform agenda, particularly changes involving the Federal Board of Revenue.
According to the government, FBR reforms have helped address issues raised by the business community.
The visiting business and professional representatives also welcomed government initiatives in agriculture, industry and exports, with particular appreciation for the FBR reforms.
For businesses considering investment, taxation and regulatory processes can play an important role in determining operating conditions. The government’s emphasis on FBR reforms therefore formed an important part of its message to the Pakistani business community abroad.
Agriculture Seen as a Major Investment Opportunity
Agriculture was another important area discussed during the meetings.
Shehbaz Sharif said the government was prioritising innovation in agriculture to support the sector’s development.
In a separate meeting with US business councils, the prime minister also highlighted the potential for modern technology and machinery to improve agricultural production and efficiency.
The focus on technology could create opportunities around modern farming equipment, productivity improvements and agricultural value chains.
IT and AI Remain Key Areas of Focus
Technology was also prominent in the discussions, with representatives from IT and artificial intelligence among the business delegations.
The government has been highlighting Pakistan’s young population and technology workforce as potential strengths for the country’s digital economy.
During meetings with US corporate representatives, Shehbaz Sharif also identified IT and AI among sectors offering investment opportunities and linked technology development with skills and vocational training.
This places technology alongside more traditional investment areas such as agriculture, energy and manufacturing.
US Business Engagement With Pakistan
The outreach also extended beyond the Pakistani diaspora.
On September 25, a joint delegation of the US-Pakistan Business Council (USPBC) and Business Council for International Understanding (BCIU) met the prime minister in New York.
During that meeting, Shehbaz Sharif highlighted investment opportunities in areas including manufacturing, agriculture, IT, AI, mines and minerals. Representatives of several US companies with business interests in Pakistan also participated.
The councils said they would continue engaging with the Pakistani government and private sector to expand business cooperation.
Why This Matters
The New York meetings put investment and business cooperation at the centre of Pakistan’s engagement with its overseas business community.
For US-based Pakistanis, the government’s message focused on opportunities to bring capital, expertise and business networks into Pakistan.
For Pakistan, attracting overseas investment could support activity across sectors such as technology, agriculture, manufacturing, energy and construction.
The discussions also show how the government is presenting FBR reforms, digitisation, agricultural modernisation and technology development as part of its broader investment narrative.
Outlook
The government’s outreach to US-based Pakistani professionals and businesses is part of a wider effort to increase investment and strengthen private-sector activity.
The immediate focus is on encouraging the overseas Pakistani business community to explore opportunities in Pakistan while highlighting reforms and sector-specific investment potential.
The extent to which these discussions translate into new investment will depend on follow-up engagement, business decisions and the implementation of the reforms highlighted during the meetings.
FAQs
What did Shehbaz Sharif ask US-based Pakistanis to do?
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif invited Pakistani business leaders and professionals based in the United States to invest in Pakistan.
Which sectors were represented in the New York meetings?
The delegations included representatives from IT, artificial intelligence, automobiles, energy, construction and other sectors.
What FBR reforms did Shehbaz Sharif highlight?
The prime minister highlighted reforms at the Federal Board of Revenue and said they had helped address concerns of the business community.
Why is agriculture important in Pakistan’s investment plans?
The government is focusing on innovation, technology and modernisation in agriculture to support the sector’s development.
Are IT and AI investment opportunities being promoted?
Yes. IT and AI were among the sectors highlighted during the prime minister’s meetings with Pakistani and US business representatives in New York.
Did US business groups also meet Shehbaz Sharif?
Yes. A joint delegation of the US-Pakistan Business Council and Business Council for International Understanding met the prime minister and discussed investment and business opportunities in Pakistan.
