ISLAMABAD: A group of nearly 20 Pakistani-origin businessmen from Saudi Arabia arrived in Islamabad on Sunday to attend the inaugural Overseas Pakistanis Convention, organized by the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis. The convention, running until April 15, aims to recognize the contributions of expatriates to the national economy and address their concerns. The government has given the delegates state guest status, with special airport arrangements in place.
The businessmen expressed strong interest in investing in Pakistan’s tourism, agriculture, food processing, and trading sectors. Faisal Tahir Khan, a Saudi-born Pakistani entrepreneur, said the group is keen on projects like hotel development, facility upgrades, and value-added agriculture. He also shared plans by the Pakistan Investment Forum (PIF) in Saudi Arabia to launch a commercial hub showcasing top Pakistani brands in the Kingdom.
Remittances from overseas Pakistanis—especially from Saudi Arabia—play a critical role in Pakistan’s economy, with over $35 billion expected this fiscal year. Business leaders highlighted investment opportunities both in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, particularly in projects like NEOM City, a futuristic smart city under Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. Ali Khurshid Malik of PIF noted this could open doors for Pakistan’s construction and IT sectors, provided the country enhances its certification systems to meet demand for skilled labor.
Riyadh-based entrepreneur Raja Shahid Raza said the convention is a key platform for overseas Pakistanis to directly engage with government institutions and voice concerns. Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis, Chaudhry Salik Hussain, emphasized that the country’s top leadership, including the prime minister and army chief, will address the participants to acknowledge their vital contributions.
