Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&#39;s Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said Tuesday that the country&#39;s leadership is not giving up on efforts to help the US and Iran negotiate.&nbsp; &quot;We would very much like to see if we can continue to pursue the dialogue,&quot; he said during an interview with the Associated Press on the sidelines of the spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank. &quot;We&#39;ll keep at it, and our leadership is at it.&quot; Aurangzeb said&nbsp;the&nbsp;talks marked the first direct discussion between the two nations in nearly 50 years. The finance minister said he also met this week with US officials, including Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, to discuss trade and finance concerns. He plans to meet Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Friday. In a phone call with The New York Post, President Trump said Tuesday a second round of talks with Iran &quot;could be happening over the next two days,&quot; indicating that the venue could be Islamabad.

Muhammad Aurangzeb - (File Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

Foreign Affairs

Pakistan's Finance Minister says Pakistan will continue to push US-Iran dialogue as talks resume, and Donald Trump signals a possible second round soon.

Pakistan won't quit US-Iran mediation, says finance minister

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Tuesday briefed participants at a luncheon of the US-Pakistan Business Council on the country&#39;s macroeconomic outlook and reform progress. The finance minister departed for the United States to participate in the World Bank Group&ndash;IMF Spring Meetings 2026, to be held in Washington, from April 13 to 18, 2026. The minister met the United States Trade Representative on the sidelines of the World Bank-IMF Spring Meetings 2026 to discuss trade and investment cooperation. In a post on the Finance Ministry&rsquo;s X account, Finance Minister Aurangzeb interacted with representatives of US companies operating in Pakistan on the sidelines of the World Bank&ndash;IMF Spring Meetings 2026. Highlighting the approval of a staff-level agreement on the third review under Pakistan&rsquo;s Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and the second review under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF), the finance minister outlined the economic impact of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, particularly in terms of energy procurement, pricing, and logistics. According to the statement, the finance minister elaborated on the &ldquo;government&rsquo;s policy response, including measures focused on supply chain stabilization, demand management, and the provision of fiscally-neutral targeted subsidies.&rdquo; He also highlighted emerging positive developments, including a &ldquo;significant surge in transshipment volumes through Karachi Port and record inflows under the Roshan Digital Account initiative.&rdquo; Underscoring the ongoing efforts to broaden the tax base, the finance minister talked about the &ldquo;particular focus&rdquo; the government has &ldquo;on bringing segments of the informal professional economy into the tax net through targeted Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) audits and sector-specific engagement.&rdquo; An interactive question-and-answer segment was held at the end of the discussion, reflecting strong interest from participants in Pakistan&rsquo;s economic trajectory and reform agenda.

Economy

Finance minister interacts with representatives of US companies operating in Pakistan on the sidelines of the World Bank–IMF Spring Meetings 2026.



Pakistan's finance chief outlines macroeconomic outlook, reform progress at US-Pakistan Business Council 

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb met the United States Trade Representative on the sidelines of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/pakistan-minister-to-discuss-reform-progress-during-imf-meetings-in-washington" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">World Bank-IMF Spring Meetings 2026</a>&nbsp;to discuss trade and investment cooperation. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the Ministry of Finance said on Tuesday that the minister met US Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer. <div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 897px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2043881280518140360&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=74b8962279ce3262463b3b7843ce668276256c7f&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" data-tweet-id="2043881280518140360">&nbsp;</iframe></div></div><div class="fr-embed"><div> Aurangzeb said Pakistan is committed to strengthening economic relations with the United States through expanded trade and investment flows. He called for improved market access and a stronger business environment to support long-term economic ties.</div></div> The two officials held talks on advancing bilateral trade and investment. They discussed expanding market access for exports, increasing investment flows and deepening commercial linkages. They said they were satisfied with progress in ongoing trade negotiations and noted continued momentum in economic engagement. They said they will continue discussions on trade and investment.

Pakistan Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb speaks with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on the sidelines of the World Bank-IMF Spring Meetings 2026. (Ministry of Finance)

Pakistan’s finance minister met the US trade representative in Washington on the sidelines of the IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings 2026 to discuss trade, investment flows and bilateral economic cooperation.

Pakistan, US discuss trade expansion in Washington

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, on Sunday underscored that the two critical long-term challenges facing Pakistan were population growth and climate change.&nbsp; The finance minister departed for the United States to participate in the World Bank Group&ndash;IMF Spring Meetings 2026, scheduled to be held in Washington, DC from April 13 to 18, 2026, where he is set to meet senior International Monetary Fund (IMF) leadership and discuss the country&rsquo;s macroeconomic outlook, reform progress, and future cooperation on his Washington trip.&nbsp; While participating in a high-level panel discussion at Harvard University, the finance minister emphasized that sustained economic progress would not be possible without addressing rapid population growth, and highlighted Pakistan&rsquo;s increasing vulnerability to climate-related shocks and the need for greater focus on resilience and adaptation. According to a statement issued on the Ministry of Finance&rsquo;s X account, the finance minister acknowledged that further work was required in areas such as regulatory reform and ease of doing business, noting that these remain key priorities for improving the investment climate. The minister reaffirmed the government&rsquo;s commitment to structural reforms, including taxation, which has shown progress but remained below desired levels. He highlighted the ongoing transformation efforts within the Federal Board of Revenue, further emphasizing the need to move away from a model of perpetual subsidies for industry, advocating instead for competitiveness and export-led growth.&nbsp; The minister also highlighted the trade liberalization measures, including tariff rationalization, aimed at encouraging efficiency and integration into global markets. According to the finance minister, Pakistan&rsquo;s solar generation had reached approximately 8,000 megawatts. He underscored the government&rsquo;s ambition to significantly increase the share of renewables in the energy mix over the coming decade. The session was moderated by former Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan, Dr Reza Baqir, and included&nbsp;panelists such as Princeton University&#39;s Professor Atif Mian and Nobel Laureate and Massachusetts Institute of Technology&#39;s Professor Daron Acemoglu.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Climate & Environment

While participating in a high-level panel discussion at Harvard University, finance minister emphasizes sustained economic progress will not be possible without addressing rapid population growth, while also highlighting Pakistan’s increasing vulnerability to climate-related shocks and the need for greater focus on resilience and adaptation.

At Harvard, Pakistan's finance chief highlights population, climate as key future challenges

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, will meet senior International Monetary Fund (IMF) leadership and discuss the country&rsquo;s macroeconomic outlook, reform progress, and future cooperation on his Washington trip. The finance minister departed for the United States to participate in the World Bank Group&ndash;IMF <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/fitch-reaffirms-pakistans-b-credit-rating-removes-review-status" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Spring Meetings</a> 2026, scheduled to be held in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/pakistans-policy-efforts-have-helped-stabilize-economy-imf" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Washington</a>, DC from April 13 to 18, 2026, said a statement shared on X on Saturday by Pakistan&rsquo;s Ministry of Finance.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2042842259163664557&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=0cfb081cd9b90284bcce6412a3d4400ce998918c&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 897px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" data-tweet-id="2042842259163664557">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>During his visit, the finance minister will represent Pakistan at important events organized by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group, and will participate in a wide range of multilateral and bilateral engagements with global financial leaders, development partners, and <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/foreign-investors-return-to-pakistan-as-sovereign-bond-inflows-surge" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">policymakers</a>, the statement said.&nbsp;Bilateral meetings&nbsp;On the sidelines of the Spring Meetings, the finance minister is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with senior leadership of international financial institutions, including Anna Bjerde, Managing Director (Operations), World Bank Group; Makhtar Diop, Managing Director, International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Tsutomu Yamamoto, Managing Director, Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), the press release added. He will also meet senior IMF leadership, including Dan Katz, First Deputy Managing Director, Nigel Clarke, Deputy Managing Director of the IMF and Jihad Azour, Director of the Middle East and Central Asia Department at the IMF to discuss Pakistan&rsquo;s macroeconomic outlook, reform progress, and future cooperation.&nbsp;Conference at Harvard&nbsp;Prior to the formal Spring Meetings, the finance minister will visit Boston to attend the Pakistan Conference at Harvard University, where he will engage with leading academics, policymakers, and members of the Pakistani diaspora, and share Pakistan&rsquo;s economic outlook, reform trajectory, and growth prospects, the press release said.&nbsp;As part of his engagements with the United States Administration, the finance minister will meet senior officials of the US State Department and the US Department of the Treasury, as well as Jamieson Greer, the United States Trade Representative (USTR), to further strengthen bilateral economic cooperation and discuss support for Pakistan&rsquo;s reform agenda. The finance minister will also engage with senior representatives of global financial institutions and corporations, including leadership from major international investment institutions and banks such as Franklin Templeton, Rothschild &amp; Co, Citibank, and JP Morgan Chase, as well as representatives of leading technology and policy platforms.&nbsp;Meetings with leaders from partner countries&nbsp;In addition, Senator Aurangzeb will meet key counterparts and financial leaders from partner countries, including China, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, T&uuml;rkiye, and the United Kingdom, to strengthen bilateral economic cooperation. He is also scheduled to engage with multilateral and development finance stakeholders, including the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Gates Foundation, and senior representatives of institutions such as Asian Development Bank (ADB), JICA and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).&nbsp;Multilateral forums&nbsp;The finance minister will participate in key multilateral forums, including the G-24 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors&rsquo; Meetings, the Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate Action.&nbsp; He will also contribute to a series of high-level roundtables and policy discussions, including the Borrowers&rsquo; Platform and sessions focused on global economic stability, financial reforms, climate finance, and development priorities.&nbsp;World Bank-hosted roundtable&nbsp;A key highlight of the visit will be Pakistan&rsquo;s participation in a World Bank&ndash;hosted roundtable on &ldquo;Delivering Social Protection Digitally: Lessons and Innovations from Pakistan, Middle East and North Africa,&rdquo; where Pakistan will showcase its experience in developing and scaling Government-to-Person (G2P) payment systems, particularly through the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), alongside other participating countries. In addition to official engagements, the finance minister will participate in investment forums and roundtable discussions with institutional investors, including sessions organized by Jefferies, JP Morgan and Citibank, where he will highlight Pakistan&rsquo;s improving macroeconomic indicators, reform agenda, and investment potential. The finance minister will also participate in a dedicated event on Roshan Digital Accounts (RDA) and remittances, being organized in collaboration with the State Bank of Pakistan at the Embassy of Pakistan in Washington, DC, aimed at engaging the Pakistani diaspora and promoting remittance inflows through formal channels.&nbsp;Rating agencies&nbsp;He will engage with global credit rating agencies, including Fitch Ratings, Moody&rsquo;s, and S&amp;P Global, and interact with leading international media organizations. As part of his outreach to policy and thought leaders, Senator Aurangzeb will speak at the Atlantic Council and engage with leading think tanks to share Pakistan&rsquo;s economic outlook and reform trajectory. The finance minister will also meet members of the US-Pakistan Business Council and interact with the Pakistani diaspora and business community to promote investment opportunities and strengthen economic ties.&nbsp;Over the course of his visit, the finance minister is expected to participate in over 50 high-level engagements, including bilateral meetings, multilateral forums, policy dialogues, investment roundtables, and media interactions, reflecting Pakistan&rsquo;s proactive and constructive engagement with the global economic community, the statement said. The visit underscores Pakistan&rsquo;s commitment to macroeconomic stability, structural reforms, and strengthening partnerships with international financial institutions and global stakeholders to achieve sustainable and inclusive economic growth, it added.

Departs for US to participate in World Bank Group–IMF Spring Meetings 2026, scheduled to be held in Washington, DC from April 13 to 18, 2026, said an official statement shared on X on Saturday.

Pakistan minister to discuss reform progress during IMF meetings in Washington 

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan announced on Monday that it would close bazaars, markets, and shopping malls at 8 p.m. as part of austerity measures amid the escalating Israel-US war on Iran, which has impacted global supplies. According to a statement from the Prime Minister&#39;s Office (PMO), Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a meeting to review petroleum products, energy conservation, and the implementation of austerity measures. As part of this initiative, the government announced the closure of markets and shopping malls in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, the Islamabad Capital Territory, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Jammu &amp; Kashmir. The statement added that the decision has been made in consultation with provincial governments. &ldquo;In divisional headquarters of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, bazaars, markets, and shopping malls will be allowed to remain open until 9 p.m.,&rdquo; it added. The government said that shops selling daily-use items, departmental stores, and all types of malls will also close at 8 p.m. Bakeries, restaurants, tandoors, and other food outlets will be closed by 10 p.m., the statement added. Marriage halls, marquees, and other commercial venues where weddings are held will remain closed after 10 p.m., as per the statement. Wedding events on private property and in homes will also be prohibited after 10 p.m., as per the statement. &nbsp;It added that medical stores and pharmacies will be exempt from these restrictions. The government announced that these decisions will take effect from April 7. It further added that in the cities of Gilgit and Muzaffarabad, intercity public transport will be free for one month, with all expenses borne by the federal government. Sufficient petrol suppliesIn an official statement, the Cabinet Committee to Monitor Petrol Prices met under the chairmanship of Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb to assess petroleum supply, stock positions, and market conditions. Officials told the meeting that overall supply remains stable. Diesel stocks cover about 25 days, petrol supplies are sufficient to meet current demand, and crude oil stocks stand at around 12 days, supported by incoming cargoes and scheduled imports, according to the Petroleum Division. Import arrangements for the coming weeks are on track through commercial purchases and government-to-government deals, while refineries are operating at optimal levels to maintain output, the division said. The committee noted that a reliable energy supply remains critical for agriculture, fertilizer production, transport, and industry, as well as for maintaining price stability. The committee called for vigilance to prevent hoarding, speculative activity, and disruptions in availability following recent price changes, the ministry stated. It stressed close monitoring of demand patterns, including local variations, and action against unauthorized storage and market irregularities within the regulatory framework. Members also reviewed the gas supply, including the stock positions of SNGPL and SSGC, and discussed the allocation between domestic consumers and the power sector, according to the Petroleum Division. They called for a data-driven approach to manage seasonal demand and increasing reliance on liquefied petroleum gas. The committee emphasized the use of a digital dashboard launched by the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) to track real-time data on stocks, sales, and supply conditions from depots to retail outlets. The system is intended to improve visibility of inventory and demand fluctuations and enable timely identification of supply gaps, the ministry said. However, data reporting from retail outlets remains below expectations despite a nationwide network of more than 12,000 petrol pumps, according to the Finance Ministry. The committee called for full operationalization of the system. The finance minister directed stakeholders to ensure timely and accurate data sharing to support decision-making. OGRA was instructed to enforce compliance with reporting requirements,&nbsp;accelerate digitization across the supply chain, and coordinate with oil marketing companies. Pakistan State Oil will expand reporting coverage across its retail network, the ministry said. Joint teams from the Petroleum Division, OGRA, the Federal Investigation Agency, and Pakistan State Oil will be deployed to selected PSO petrol pumps in Islamabad to improve data entry, transparency, and operational compliance. The committee said such mechanisms should be institutionalized to strengthen oversight and accountability. Aurangzeb said maintaining market stability requires coordination, monitoring, and enforcement, and stressed the need to ensure uninterrupted fuel availability, improve transparency, and protect consumers. The meeting was attended by senior federal ministers and officials from relevant ministries, divisions, and regulatory authorities.

Steps include early market closures, reduced business hours, and offering free public transport to reduce vehicular traffic and fuel usage amid regional tensions.

Pakistan orders early market closures amid Middle Eastern crisis

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said Thursday that Pakistan holds sufficient reserves and supply arrangements to manage potential economic fallout from regional developments, the Finance Ministry reported.&nbsp; During a meeting with British High Commissioner Jane Marriott, Aurangzeb detailed the government&rsquo;s strategy for stabilizing the economy. He stated that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif recently formed a high-level committee to monitor global commodity markets and energy supplies daily. This group includes members from federal ministries and the State Bank of Pakistan. The committee tracks price movements and potential disruptions in crude oil, coal, gas, and petroleum products. Officials are also assessing how these factors impact inflation and financial stability. Aurangzeb stated the government is performing sensitivity analysis and scenario planning to address a prolonged regional crisis. The finance minister said energy conservation measures are currently under review. The Finance Ministry is coordinating with provincial authorities to manage resources and prevent market panic. Aurangzeb provided an update on Pakistan&rsquo;s engagement with the International Monetary Fund.&nbsp; He stated the government remains committed to meeting program benchmarks. Current efforts focus on tax policy, revenue mobilization, and institutional transparency. The government aims to broaden the tax base through data-driven enforcement. Economic indicators show signs of recovery. Growth reached 3.7% in the first quarter of the current fiscal year. Large-scale manufacturing and the agriculture sector contributed to this improvement. Aurangzeb said the focus is now transitioning from stabilization to sustainable growth. The British High Commissioner acknowledged the government&rsquo;s reform efforts and detailed the United Kingdom&rsquo;s support for Pakistan&rsquo;s macroeconomic stability. The discussion also covered investor confidence in the mining and minerals sectors. Both sides agreed on the importance of good governance to attract international investment. The meeting concluded with both officials pledging to strengthen bilateral economic cooperation.

Highlighting the government’s proactive measures to manage potential economic impacts amid evolving regional developments, Pakistan's Finance Minister said that the country has adequate reserves and supply arrangements.

Pakistan maintains strong reserves to counter regional market disruptions: Finance minister

Ayesha Mir

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is fully prepared for the upcoming review by the International Monetary Fund and is confident about its economic trajectory, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said.&nbsp;Speaking to Pakistan TV Digital, Aurangzeb confirmed that the IMF mission has begun its technical discussions in Karachi and that he will meet the team in Islamabad on Monday for the third review under Pakistan&rsquo;s ongoing program.&nbsp;&ldquo;We are getting ready for the third review,&rdquo; Aurangzeb said. &ldquo;It will cover both performance benchmarks and structural benchmarks, as well as a forward-looking assessment of the program.&rdquo;&nbsp;He added that Pakistan is entering the review from a position of strength. &ldquo;It is premature to say how it will go,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;But I would say we are well-positioned for this review.&rdquo;&nbsp;Strong economic fundamentalsAurangzeb highlighted the country&rsquo;s consolidation of macroeconomic stability over the past two years. Consecutive primary fiscal surpluses, a stable currency, easing inflation, and rising foreign exchange reserves reflect these gains, he said.&nbsp;Inflation has fallen into single digits, allowing the policy rate to drop to 10.5%, while reserves have grown from roughly two weeks of import cover in July 2023 to about 2.5 months.&nbsp;&ldquo;If the current trajectory continues, we expect to reach the international benchmark of three months of import cover by year-end,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;Remittances rose to $38 billion last fiscal year and are projected to reach around $42 billion this year. IT exports are also strengthening, expected to reach $4 billion to $5 billion, alongside traditional export sectors.&nbsp;From aid-led to investment-led growthAurangzeb emphasized that Pakistan is shifting from an aid-led model to a trade and investment-focused approach, targeting business-to-business engagement with international partners.&nbsp;&ldquo;We are very focused on sectors like oil and gas, minerals, mining and IT to attract further trade and investment,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;He noted recent diplomatic and economic initiatives, including CPEC Phase 2.0 with China and strengthened ties with GCC countries and the United States. Tariff negotiations with the US have reduced Pakistan&rsquo;s trade duties, further supporting competitive exports.&nbsp;Reform and continuityThe finance minister outlined ongoing reforms to strengthen fiscal sustainability.&nbsp;These include modernization of the Federal Board of Revenue, pension restructuring, government right-sizing, privatization of select state assets and enhanced debt management, which saved about Rs850 billion last year.&nbsp;&ldquo;We are focused on continuity, credibility, and reform,&rdquo; Aurangzeb said. &ldquo;Our engagement with the IMF is part of a broader strategy to ensure lasting stability, sustainable growth, and increased private-sector investment for Pakistan.&rdquo;&nbsp;The IMF mission will also examine governance reforms, electricity tariff adjustments, and the FY2026-27 federal budget framework. Completion of the review is expected to unlock $1.2 billion in funding, reinforcing Pakistan&rsquo;s recovery and reform momentum.

Federal Minister for Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb speaks with Pakistan TV Digital ahead of the IMF review mission. (Pakistan TV Digital)

Pakistan is well-prepared for IMF reviews this week, Muhammad Aurangzeb said, with $1.2 billion funding pending. Officials report program targets on track, including fiscal, monetary, and governance benchmarks.

Pakistan confident ahead of IMF review, eyes investment-led growth

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Finance Minister Muhammad&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/come-and-visit-us-pakistan-sees-market-at-the-cusp-of-transformation" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer">Aurangzeb</a>&nbsp;met with US Commerce Secretary Howard A. Lutnick to discuss expanding bilateral economic cooperation. According to an official statement, the delegation included Pakistan&rsquo;s commerce secretary, its ambassador to the United States, and senior trade and economic officials. Both sides expressed interest in increasing trade and investment and explored US participation in Pakistan&rsquo;s technology, mining,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/pakistan-to-join-usled-global-initiative-on-critical-minerals" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer">minerals</a>, and energy sectors. Aurangzeb praised the US Chamber of Commerce for organizing the US-Pakistan Trade and Investment Forum on March 31. The event will include major companies and ministerial participation from both countries. He said he hoped the US Commerce Department would also attend the forum. Officials said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/us-signals-growing-investment-and-strategic-engagement-with-pakistan" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer">both sides</a> will continue working on major investment projects in the coming months.

Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Muhammad Aurangzeb, shaking hands with US Commerce Secretary, Howard A. Lutnick after a meeting at the Department of Commerce in Washington DC. Secretary Commerce, Government of Pakistan, and Pakistan's Ambassador 

Both sides expressed interest in increasing trade and investment and explored US participation in Pakistan’s technology, mining, minerals, and energy sectors.

Islamabad, Washington advance talks on trade and investment

Saqib Tanveer

DAVOS: Pakistan&rsquo;s Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said the country is &ldquo;open for business&rdquo; as he held a series of <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/pakistan-finance-minister-highlights-120000-new-investors-boosts-confidence" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">high-level political and corporate</a> engagements on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting, positioning Islamabad as a destination for investment driven by macroeconomic stability and technology-led growth.&nbsp;In an exclusive interview with Pakistan TV Digital, Aurangzeb outlined Pakistan&rsquo;s outreach strategy at the five-day WEF meeting in Davos, where nearly 3,000 global leaders from politics, business, finance and civil society are gathering to discuss pressing global challenges.&nbsp;Aurangzeb said his engagements included meetings with fellow finance ministers from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Egypt, alongside interactions with existing and prospective investors.&nbsp;&ldquo;It&rsquo;s a great opportunity to meet your counterparts and have conversations about their economies, our economy, and mutual areas of cooperation, investment and trade,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;The finance minister noted that Davos offers a rare platform where political leadership and global business converge, enabling Pakistan to simultaneously engage governments and multinational corporations.&nbsp;He said discussions were underway with major existing investors in Pakistan, including global companies active in aviation, food and beverages, to understand how they plan to expand their footprint in the country.&nbsp;Highlighting the presence of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/pm-sharif-to-lead-pakistan-delegation-to-wef-2026-in-davos" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif</a>&nbsp;at the forum, Aurangzeb said Pakistan&rsquo;s leadership was using the platform to present a renewed national narrative anchored in economic stabilization achieved over recent years.&nbsp;&ldquo;This is to tell the Pakistan story. The macroeconomic stabilization we have achieved and, more importantly, how we want to move forward toward sustainable growth,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;Aurangzeb emphasized that Pakistan is now seeking market-efficiency-driven foreign investment that can generate exportable surpluses and long-term value.&nbsp;&ldquo;This is a very big opportunity for us to showcase Pakistan, the opportunity in Pakistan, and the message that Pakistan is open for business,&rdquo; he added.&nbsp;Turning to the digital economy, the finance minister said Pakistan is positioning itself to capitalize on emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, blockchain and Web3. Key themes at this year&rsquo;s WEF meeting.&nbsp;He said regulatory progress through the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority and engagement with global technology leaders signal Pakistan&rsquo;s intent to compete in the knowledge economy.&nbsp;Aurangzeb underlined Pakistan&rsquo;s strength as one of the world&rsquo;s top freelance markets, saying targeted investment in blockchain and AI centers of excellence could significantly raise earnings and productivity.&nbsp;He said such initiatives would not only benefit individual professionals but also strengthen the national economy through higher-value exports of digital services.&nbsp;Summing up Pakistan&rsquo;s pitch to the international community, Aurangzeb pointed to opportunities across traditional sectors such as agriculture, minerals and mining, alongside fast-growing areas like information technology and startups.&nbsp;The finance minister said Pakistan aims to leapfrog in the knowledge economy by attracting expertise, financing and technology transfer through global partnerships.&nbsp;The World Economic Forum annual meeting, held every January in the Alpine town of Davos since 1971, brings together heads of state, ministers, corporate leaders and policymakers. This year&rsquo;s meeting, which began on January 19 and concludes on January 23, comes amid global economic uncertainty and heightened focus on technological transformation and international cooperation. <div class="fr-embed youtube-embed"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uSIuj_Y9ayk?si=6ESAjjOQmQ9MS9Nf" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen="" style="width: 100%; height: auto; aspect-ratio: 16 / 9; max-width: 100%; display: block;"></iframe>&nbsp;</div>

In conversation with Pakistan TV Digital in Davos, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb says Pakistan is engaging global counterparts, courting investors, and leveraging digital innovation to drive sustainable, export-oriented economic growth.

Articles tagged with "Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb"

Pakistan won't quit US-Iran mediation, says finance minister

Pakistan's finance chief outlines macroeconomic outlook, reform progress at US-Pakistan Business Council

Pakistan, US discuss trade expansion in Washington

At Harvard, Pakistan's finance chief highlights population, climate as key future challenges

Pakistan minister to discuss reform progress during IMF meetings in Washington

Pakistan orders early market closures amid Middle Eastern crisis

Pakistan maintains strong reserves to counter regional market disruptions: Finance minister

Pakistan confident ahead of IMF review, eyes investment-led growth

Islamabad, Washington advance talks on trade and investment

Pakistan pitches stability, AI-led growth to investors at Davos forum

Pakistan won't quit US-Iran mediation, says finance minister