PM Kakar announced fast-track visa processing for potential investors under the Open Pakistan Policy as officials said they hoped to close mega investment deals with multiple Gulf countries within a month.
By Muhammad Ali
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s caretaker government Saturday reached a determination to make all decisions in the larger national interest, and to get tough on smuggling, hoarding, and market manipulation.
The development came at the 5th meeting of the Apex Committee of the powerful Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), chaired by the caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar and attended by the chief of army staff, federal cabinet, provincial chief ministers and high level government officials.
The committee unanimously decided to take all decisions in the larger interest of the country and deal with the menace of smuggling, hoarding and market manipulations with an iron hand through an elaborate enforcement mechanism.
The Prime Minister directed the ministries to optimally utilise the short interim period for a positive contribution while also initiating medium and long-term policy interventions.
Amid the possibility of finalising multi billion dollars agreements with Gulf countries in a month’s period under the SIFC initiative, Caretaker Prime Minister Anwarul Haq Kakar announced a new visa regime for potential investors under the Open Pakistan Policy in order to facilitate attracting investments from abroad.
One top official said that they were moving towards finalisation of agreements with Gulf countries including Saudi Arabia, UAE and Qatar for attracting multi billion dollars investments for construction of a Refinery, sale of two RLNG based power plants, and many other projects.
While addressing the participants of 5th Apex Committee of the SIFC meeting here on Saturday, the caretaker premier said that the forum took important decisions for granting visas to potential investors. He said that under the Open Pakistan Policy, all foreign missions abroad were instructed to facilitate visas to all potential investors.
According to an official statement issued by the PM Office, the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) resumed the proceedings of 5th Apex Committee Meeting on September 9, 2023.
The second session was arranged to seek input from the ministries of Foreign Affairs, Interior, Information Technology & Telecommunications, National Food Security & Research, and Water Resources for improving business and investment climate in the Country.
The ministries presented comprehensive plans, covering milestones, timelines and solutions to overcome major challenges. Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Asim Munir pledged his institution’s unwavering support to the government’s efforts for the economic revival of the country.
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