Pakistan should focus on four key areas shaping Pakistan’s economy: Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), systemic challenges, long-term strategic planning, and the influence of political and religious dynamics. Speaking at a talk on “Pakistan’s Investment Landscape: Challenges, Opportunities and the Way Forward”, Muhammad Azfar Ahsan, former Minister for Investment, criticized the country’s reliance on assumptions rather than data-driven decisions, calling it a significant obstacle to progress.
Azfar Ahsan provided a detailed overview of the country’s investment climate, backed by data from the past two decades, and said that with 67% of Pakistan’s population consisting of young people, a long-term vision is the need of the hour, calling for a 15-year strategic plan to fully harness this demographic advantage.
He stressed the importance of moving beyond partisan politics to build a united national vision, noting that in today’s world, success is defined by economic interests and partnerships.He also called for reforming governmental institutions to better align with the modern economic demands and ensure Pakistan’s future prosperity. He stressed the need for collaboration between ministries and the integration of private-sector expertise into public governance to drive innovation and improve public services.
One of the key points raised by Azfar Ahsan was the gap between productivity and satisfaction in Pakistan, urging a cultural shift towards greater efficiency and output. He also called for national unity, stating, “A united national strategy is necessary to overcome political polarization and create a shared vision for the country’s future.”The session culminated with strategic recommendations aimed at fostering sustainable economic growth, providing the participants with actionable insights for navigating Pakistan’s evolving business landscape.
TalibShahjahan Karim, President, Institute of Business Management (IoBM), thanked Azfar Ahsan and praised his outstanding business acumen, noting that the insights shared would be highly valuable for the corporate leaders of the country.
