Federal Minister for Board of Investment Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh has emphasized the importance of transforming knowledge, research and policy ideas into practical solutions for Pakistan’s economic development.
Addressing the concluding ceremony of the PUAN Economic Policy Challenge 2026 at Islamabad, the Federal Minister thanked the organizers for inviting him to speak on the occasion and appreciated the hosts for bringing together young professionals and alumni with diverse academic and professional experiences. The event was organized by the U.S. Embassy, United States Educational Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP), Pakistan-U.S. Alumni Network (PUAN), and Accountability Lab Pakistan.
The Federal Minister said, “Having knowledge is important, but its real value comes when we are able to apply that knowledge to practical problems and develop appropriate solutions.”
He further said, “If you have knowledge and make a proper assessment of the situation, you can come up with an appropriate solution.”
Drawing upon his experience as former President of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry and his current role in the government, the Minister observed that sound assessment of economic and business challenges was essential for developing effective policy responses. He said that the knowledge and expertise acquired by the participants through their academic and professional journeys should now be utilized to address real-world challenges and contribute to policymaking and economic development.
The Minister appreciated the contribution of the United States towards Pakistan and noted the longstanding people-to-people, educational and professional linkages between the two countries. The role of alumni networks in maintaining these linkages and converting international exposure into practical contributions for Pakistan was also highlighted.
The participants were encouraged to remain connected through the alumni network, exchange expertise, develop professional collaborations and utilize their international exposure to create opportunities in trade, investment, technology, entrepreneurship and policy development. It was emphasized that alumni networks could serve as an important bridge between Pakistan and the international community.
The economic reforms undertaken by the government during the past two years, particularly in cooperation with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), were highlighted as significant steps towards strengthening Pakistan’s economic foundations. It was noted that the government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, had been pursuing measures aimed at improving economic stability and creating an environment conducive to business and investment.
The Federal Minister said that the Board of Investment was actively working on regulatory reforms to facilitate businesses and investors. Assistance and expertise from U.S. experts in the area of regulatory reform was also acknowledged.
It was pointed out that over-regulation, overlapping requirements and procedural bottlenecks had historically created difficulties for businesses in Pakistan. The ongoing reform process at the Board of Investment was therefore aimed at simplifying procedures, reducing unnecessary regulatory burdens, improving coordination among government institutions and making the business environment more predictable and investor-friendly.
The establishment of the Business Facilitation Centre (BFC) by the Board of Investment in Islamabad was also highlighted as an important initiative in this regard. It was noted that various ministries and government departments had been brought together under one roof at the Centre to provide coordinated facilitation to businesses and investors.
The Federal Minister further highlighted the role of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in promoting industrial development, investment and exports. The incentives available in SEZs, including income tax benefits and exemptions on the import of machinery, were noted as important measures for encouraging investors to establish productive industrial ventures.
It was emphasized that greater focus needed to be placed on value-added exports, industrialization, technology transfer, employment generation and enhanced productivity so that investment could contribute directly to sustainable economic growth.
The Federal Minister also highlighted the importance of the Pakistan-U.S. economic relationship, noting that the United States remains Pakistan’s largest export market and that bilateral trade between the two countries is around $10 billion. The considerable potential for further cooperation in trade, investment, technology, entrepreneurship, education and skills development was underscored.
The role of the Pakistani-American community and alumni networks in strengthening these economic linkages was also emphasized. It was observed that the collective knowledge, international exposure and professional networks of Pakistani alumni could be utilized to promote greater business-to-business connections, investment partnerships and knowledge exchange between Pakistan and the United States.
Referring to the country’s external position, the Minister noted that Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves had reached around $18 billion, while cautioning that economic activity across the region and the wider world was being affected by ongoing wars and geopolitical tensions. It was observed that the increased cost and uncertainty associated with conflicts were having an impact on investment, trade and overall economic activity.
Pakistan’s commitment to maintaining positive and constructive relations with both the United States and Iran was reiterated, with emphasis on the importance of diplomacy, dialogue and peaceful engagement in safeguarding Pakistan’s national and economic interests.
The diplomatic capabilities of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir were also appreciated by the Federal Minister. Referring to his recent visit to the United Kingdom, the Minister said that he had received considerable appreciation there for Pakistan’s role and diplomatic efforts. The leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir in navigating regional and international challenges was also acknowledged.
Later, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Andy Halus addressed the gathering and appreciated the efforts of the participants, organizers and alumni. He also acknowledged the role being played by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir in Pakistan.
The ceremony also featured recognition of the outstanding participants and winning teams. The Federal Minister presented shields and certificates to the winners, congratulating them on their achievement and appreciating all participants for their commitment, analytical work and engagement with important economic policy issues.
In his concluding remarks, Federal Minister Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh congratulated all participants and wished them success in their future endeavours. He expressed confidence that the participants possessed sufficient knowledge and expertise to make meaningful contributions to Pakistan’s future.
The Minister emphasized that the real measure of the participants’ success would be their ability to take the knowledge gained through such initiatives and apply it in practical settings, contribute to policy discussions and help develop solutions to Pakistan’s economic challenges.
