LAHORE: The Pakistan International Business Forum (PIBF) has called on the government to introduce a comprehensive, investor-friendly package to repatriate overseas investments held by the Pakistani business community.
PIBF President Dr Mushtaq Mangat and Secretary General Muhammad Ejaz Tanveer said in a joint statement on Tuesday that a substantial volume of Pakistani capital remains parked abroad due to policy inconsistency, high taxation and regulatory bottlenecks. They said Pakistan is at a critical economic juncture, where mobilising domestic and expatriate capital could help strengthen foreign exchange reserves, accelerate industrial growth and generate employment.
The forum stressed the need for a time-bound incentive package to facilitate the return of capital through simplified and transparent procedures. It said the framework should include tax incentives, legal protection for investments and assurances against retrospective taxation to restore investor confidence and encourage long-term commitments.
PIBF noted that regional economies are offering competitive incentives to attract foreign and diaspora investment, warning that Pakistan risks missing out without a proactive, business-friendly policy environment. It also emphasised the need for a one-window operation to streamline processes and improve the ease of doing business.
The forum further recommended consultation with key stakeholders, including chambers of commerce and overseas investors, to ensure a practical and results-oriented policy. It said timely government action could unlock significant capital inflows and support sustainable economic growth.
