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Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has invited US-based Pakistani business leaders to explore investment opportunities in Pakistan, saying the economy has stabilised and moved towards growth.
He made the remarks while meeting delegations from the US-Pakistan Business Council and the Business Council for International Understanding (BCIU) on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Shehbaz said Pakistan had undertaken major structural reforms, including the digitisation of the economy, the Federal Board of Revenue and government services.
“Our economy is now stable. We have moved towards growth,” he said.
The prime minister said regional instability had affected Pakistan at an unfavourable time. He stressed that peace was essential for sustained business activity and investment.
Shehbaz identified agriculture, mining, information technology, artificial intelligence, energy security and trade as areas with potential for greater cooperation.
He said Pakistan could improve agricultural productivity by adopting modern machinery and technology.
The prime minister highlighted equipment such as combine harvesters as examples of technology that could improve efficiency, increase production and reduce costs.
He described agriculture as one of Pakistan’s areas with the greatest potential.
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Shehbaz also pointed to Pakistan’s mineral resources and said the mining sector offered significant investment opportunities.
He highlighted IT and AI-related initiatives as another area for investment, particularly because of Pakistan’s young population.
The government, he said, was working to equip young people with vocational and technical skills.
The prime minister also highlighted privatisation as an area of potential cooperation with investors.
He said the government was moving ahead with the privatisation of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and expressed confidence that its new Pakistani owners could improve the airline’s performance.
Shehbaz also said the government had privatised a bank and was processing the privatisation of power distribution companies in different provinces.
He said other sectors were also being opened to private-sector participation.
“The government’s business is to facilitate, act as a catalyst to support the private sector, not become the private sector,” Shehbaz said.
Pakistan’s economic reform agenda has also remained a central theme of the government’s engagement with international financial institutions. During UNGA, Shehbaz separately reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to implementing the IMF-supported reform programme and advancing structural measures aimed at sustainable growth.
The prime minister also met UN Secretary-General António Guterres in New York.
The two discussed regional and international developments, including the situation in the Middle East.
Shehbaz stressed the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in addressing regional tensions and reiterated Pakistan’s support for peace and stability.
He also reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to multilateralism and the central role of the United Nations in international peace and development.
The two leaders discussed the situation in Afghanistan and concerns over what Pakistan described as an increase in terrorism originating from Afghan territory.
Shehbaz also reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and statehood.
He raised concerns over what he described as a rising trend of Islamophobia and called for international action to address it.
Guterres appreciated Pakistan’s role at the United Nations and its contribution to international peace and security.
The UN has separately acknowledged Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to support dialogue and efforts to end the regional conflict.
Shehbaz also met Prince Rahim al-Hussaini Aga Khan V in New York.
During the meeting, the prime minister praised the long-standing contribution of the Ismaili community to Pakistan’s socio-economic development.
He also appreciated the work of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) in areas including financial inclusion, tourism, cultural heritage and economic empowerment.
Shehbaz called for greater cooperation in sectors where Pakistan and the AKDN share common interests.
Prince Rahim appreciated Pakistan’s efforts to promote regional peace and stability and expressed a desire to expand cooperation in health, education, climate resilience and sustainable socio-economic development.
The prime minister also invited Prince Rahim to visit Pakistan.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also held several meetings with foreign counterparts on the sidelines of UNGA.
Dar met Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani to discuss bilateral relations and preparations for the next session of the Pakistan-Bahrain Joint Ministerial Commission.
The two sides also exchanged views on regional and international developments.
Dar also met Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan.
The two reviewed bilateral relations and discussed ways to expand cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
They agreed that sustained engagement and high-level exchanges could help strengthen bilateral ties.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office has said Dar’s UNGA programme includes a series of bilateral meetings and engagements focused on regional and international peace and stability.
The meetings formed part of Pakistan’s wider diplomatic activity during the 81st UN General Assembly, which brings world leaders together in New York for discussions on international peace, development and global cooperation.
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