Top economic voices of Pakistan

My first priority was to build financial reserves, based on three principles: rationalization of expenses, optimization of resources and maximization of taxes. Over the past 18 months, we have grown reserves from approximately $85-90 million to approximately $1.1 billion. It has transformed our ability to govern. We can now make long-term commitments in areas such as education, healthcare and security with confidence.

Tourism is a huge opportunity, especially in hospitality infrastructure. International brands are starting to enter the market, reflecting the growing confidence. The province also offers strong potential in minerals, including marble, gemstones and rare earth elements – resources which are currently underdeveloped. Finally, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has long-term potential as a regional trade corridor linking Pakistan, Central Asia and China.

The Pakistan Business Council (PBC) is a leading private sector advocacy body representing Pakistan’s largest enterprises. Elected chairman in February 2025, Dr Zeelaf Munir has positioned the PBC as a data-driven policy voice at a time when investor confidence and regulatory credibility are central to the country’s economic outlook.

PBC is an advocacy platform consisting of 94 to 100 private enterprises, expanding from just 14 founding companies. Together, KBP members account for 11% of GDP, 40% of exports and 33% of tax revenues, providing both scale and leverage.