The recent reports of a significant meeting between Pakistan’s Army Chief, General Asim Munir, and prominent members of the business community have now been officially confirmed. This high-profile gathering took place at the Lahore Corp Commander House, as reported by Dawn newspaper, although no official statement from the government or the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) has been released.
During the meeting, President of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce, Kashif Anwar, revealed that General Munir has set forth a bold economic agenda. The Army Chief expressed his aspiration to attract substantial foreign investment, with the goal of securing up to $100 billion from countries like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, and others. This capital infusion would be facilitated through the creation of a Special Investment Facilitation Council.
General Munir disclosed that multiple task forces have been established to concentrate on various sectors of the economy. This strategic approach aims to revitalize Pakistan’s economic landscape comprehensively.
A prominent concern raised by the business leaders was the instability arising from disparities between the open market and interbank exchange rates for the US dollar. In response, General Munir assured the attendees that efforts would be made to bring money exchanges into the tax net, fostering transparency in exchange rate mechanisms.
Journalist Kamran Khan, formerly known on Twitter as “X,” previously reported similar meetings taking place both in Karachi and Lahore. Khan emphasized that General Munir has an ambitious plan to rejuvenate the economy, encompassing rapid privatization and the expansion of the tax net. He added, “Gen Asim expected that a free judiciary will support the economic revival mission.”
Former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry also lauded General Munir’s proactive engagement with the business community, recognizing the significance of his commitment to restoring stability in the financial markets.
This development has generated widespread interest and anticipation within Pakistan’s business and economic sectors, as the nation eagerly awaits further details and official statements regarding this transformative economic initiative.
