The National Assembly on Wednesday passed six government bills clause by clause through a majority vote, including the Special Economic Zones (Amendment) Bill, 2026.
The approved legislation also included the Pakistan Nursing and Midwifery Council Bill, 2026, Netting of Financial Arrangements Bill, 2026, Export-Import Bank of Pakistan (Amendment) Bill, 2026, Fiscal Responsibility and Debt Limitation (Amendment) Bill, 2026, and Islamabad Capital Territory Condominium (Ownership and Management) Bill, 2026.
Speaking during the session, Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, Federal Minister for the Board of Investment, said Pakistan needed foreign investment instead of additional loans to overcome economic challenges and reduce dependence on the International Monetary Fund.
He said foreign investors often raised concerns about excessive regulations, delays, and bureaucratic hurdles in Pakistan, which discouraged business activity. According to the minister, investors he met during visits to countries including the United Kingdom highlighted that slow administrative procedures remained a major obstacle to investment.
Referring to discussions with a Chinese company, the minister said investors compared Pakistan with Vietnam, where electricity connections and infrastructure facilities are provided quickly, making investment easier and more attractive.
Read more:Pakistan’s IPP Payments Surge to Rs3.4 Trillion, Senate Committee Briefed
Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh stressed that Pakistan required large-scale investment to strengthen the economy, create jobs, and reduce reliance on external borrowing.
“We do not need more loans; we need investment and want to end IMF dependence,” he said.
The minister thanked lawmakers for passing the bill and emphasized that improving governance systems and streamlining regulations were essential to attracting international investors and supporting business growth in Pakistan.
