Investing

Saudi Arabia expressed keen interest in investing in Pakistan's rice sector via corporate farming, mechanization, and logistics to secure long-term supplies, as discussed in a meeting between Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan and Saudi Assistant Minister Ibrahim Al-Mubarak. Talks covered broader agriculture (rice, fodder, meat), Saudi financing for export projects, productivity boosts in crops like cotton, joint market access in Central Asia/Africa/ASEAN, vocational training for healthcare/hospitality workers, and opportunities in building materials, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing.

Pakistan met 3 of 5 IMF fiscal targets for its next $1B tranche, hitting primary surplus (PKR4.1T), provincial cash surplus (PKR1.18T), and tax revenue goals, boosted by SBP profits and PKR823B petroleum levy. FBR missed PKR6.49T collection by PKR330B and retail income tax target despite broader scope. Provinces led gains; federal spending hit PKR7.1T under $7B IMF program.

Pakistan International Bulk Terminal Limited (PIBT) will manage over $5 billion in annual mineral exports from Reko Diq starting 2028, with Barrick's Reko Diq Mining Company signing a port deal for copper-gold concentrate at Port Qasim. The project—Balochistan's massive undeveloped deposit (50% Barrick, 25% each federal/provincial)—projects 800K-1M tonnes yearly, scaling from $2.7B to $5B post-expansion, backed by $150M terminal upgrades within a $7.7B investment. Chinese/Pakistani firms expand mining leases nearby, with PIBT eyeing barite, phosphate, iron ore, sand exports and Gulf partnerships amid government security pledges.

PM Shehbaz Sharif launched a 58.8 MW solar panel scheme for Gilgit-Baltistan, providing free panels to 147,873 verified households and SMEs to combat electricity shortages. Beneficiaries handle batteries, inverters, and transport; applications via online portal or district offices ensure transparent, merit-based selection. The initiative boosts remote area living standards and sustainable development.

The federal government has approved a Rs13 billion expansion for the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology (AFIC) and the National Institute of Heart Diseases (NIHD) in Rawalpindi. The project aims to alleviate severe overcrowding and treatment delays at the facility, which serves both military and civilian patients. To navigate fiscal constraints, the government will fund the expansion by diverting savings from slow-moving projects within the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) and securing Rs6 billion from foreign sources. This expansion was part of a larger Rs240 billion development package approved by ECNEC, which also includes the Karachi Yellow Line BRT and the Prime Minister’s Youth Skill Development Programme.

This agreement marks a critical milestone for Pakistan's automotive industry. By securing a reliable and scalable energy source, BYD and MMC are laying the groundwork for the country's first large-scale NEV manufacturing ecosystem, signaling a shift toward sustainable mobility and high-tech industrial growth.

Uplift AI is more than just a software company; it is a digital inclusion project. By focusing on "voice-first" solutions built entirely in-house, the startup is empowering a massive, previously excluded segment of the population to participate in the digital economy.

In a record-breaking move for Pakistan’s financial landscape, United Bank Limited (UBL) and Meezan Bank have spearheaded a Rs133 billion syndicated Islamic financing facility, the largest of its kind in the country’s private sector. This landmark deal facilitated the Engro Group’s acquisition of Deodar (Private) Limited from Pakistan Mobile Communications Limited (Jazz), a strategic transition that consolidates over 10,617 cellular towers and establishes Deodar as Pakistan's premier independent tower company. By providing essential Shariah-compliant capital for both the acquisition and ongoing operational needs, this transaction underscores the banking sector's capacity to support massive infrastructure projects that serve as the backbone for Pakistan's long-term economic and digital growth.

Pakistan’s IT industry is experiencing a massive breakout, hitting a record-breaking $437 million in monthly exports in December 2025. This surge is driven by strategic government policies most notably the State Bank of Pakistan increasing foreign currency retention limits to 50% which allows firms and freelancers to reinvest their dollar earnings globally with ease. While industry giants like Systems Limited are spearheading international expansion, a thriving freelance community is expected to contribute nearly $1 billion this year alone. To achieve the government's ambitious $10 billion target by 2029, the sector must now pivot toward high-value technologies like AI and smart systems while tapping into under-explored markets in Europe and the Asia-Pacific.