Foreign companies invest Pkr 41bn
Seventy nine new foreign companies have commenced operations in Pakistan over the past three years while international companies invested Rs40.7 billion in key sectors during the same time period.
According to a statement released by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), 61 foreign companies have also carried out shareholding transactions involving local entities. Of these transactions, 29 involved shareholding transfers to other foreign companies, four deals pertained to transfers to foreign individual investors, 20 were related to local individual investors and eight comprised local corporate entities.
“Pakistan is attracting substantial foreign investment across a wide range of sectors, particularly energy, logistics, information technology and agriculture, largely through partnerships with local companies,” said the SECP. “Foreign investors are entering the market through new business establishments, joint ventures, acquisitions and the expansion of existing operations, reflecting growing economic activity and investor interest.”
OGDC receives Pkr 7.73bn 8th interest payment: circular debt plan
Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) said on Wednesday it had received Rs7.725 billion from Power Holding (Private) Limited (PHL), its eighth consecutive monthly interest payment under the government’s circular debt settlement plan. The OGDCL disclosed in a notice to the Pakistan Stock Exchange presently. The total interest amount of Rs92 billion is to be repaid in twelve equal monthly instalments, commencing July 2025, the company said. “The receipt of this instalment reflects continued progress under the GOP’s initiative to address circular debt in the energy sector.” The OGDCL had received its seventh instalment of Rs7.725 billion on January 24, 2026.
Italy to issue 10,500 work visas for Pakistan
In order to promote legal migration, Italy will issue 10,500 work visas for Pakistan’s skilled labour force, said Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi.
The development came during Piantedosi’s meeting with Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi in Rome. During the meeting, both sides reviewed internal security cooperation between Pakistan and Italy, as well as measures to curb illegal immigration, read an official statement released on Wednesday.
At Naqvi’s request, holders of Pakistani diplomatic passports will be granted visa exemption for Italy. The Italian interior minister recalled that this matter had been raised in a previous meeting regarding visa exemption for diplomatic passport holders, read the statement.
$2bn rollover status stays unclear
Pakistan has received over $10 billion in foreign loans, half of it in fresh disbursements and the remainder in rollovers of existing debts, but the central bank has yet to announce the status of the $2 billion rollover by the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
According to Ministry of Economic Affairs data, the federal government received $5.1 billion in fresh loans during the July-January period of the current fiscal year. In addition, Saudi Arabia, China and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) either disbursed funds or rolled over $5 billion worth of existing debt.
Pakistan’s total external debt is not booked at a single point, and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) separately report debt figures, depending on the nature of the borrowing.
The debt bulletin and a separate announcement by the central bank showed that combined foreign loan receipts and rollovers increased to $10.1 billion during the July-January period, which is $1.4 billion less than the same period of the last fiscal year.
The key reason behind the lower disbursement is the status of the UAE’s $2 billion debt, which first matured in January and then again this month. However, the central bank has remained silent, and, departing from its past practice, has not yet made a formal announcement about the rollover.
Pak, Turkmenistan discuss regional energy links
Federal Minister for Energy (Power Division) Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari on Tuesday met Turkmenistan’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Atadjan Movlamov, with discussions focusing on regional energy connectivity and cross-border cooperation between Pakistan and Central Asia.
According to an official statement, the meeting took place at the Ministry of Energy, where the minister welcomed the ambassador and exchanged greetings on the occasion of Ramazan, conveying goodwill and best wishes for peace and prosperity for the peoples of both countries.
The Turkmen envoy highlighted the historical and cultural links between Pakistan and Turkmenistan, describing them as a foundation for expanding bilateral cooperation.
Pak and Kazakhstan: a strategic partnership
Honorary Consul of Kazakhstan in Lahore Rao Khalid Mahmood on Monday lauded the deepening strategic partnership between Pakistan and Kazakhstan, termed the recent presidential visit to Pakistan a landmark development after many years, and voiced optimism that direct flights between the two countries would soon resume to further strengthen bilateral ties.
In an interview, the honorary consul said Pakistan and Kazakhstan were entering a new chapter of growing cooperation and engagement.
He highlighted expanding opportunities in trade, investment and agriculture, as well as prospects for establishing new industries, strengthening chamber-level collaboration, promoting tourism, organising cultural festivals such as Basant, and enhancing labour exchange between the two countries. He described these recent developments as a significant milestone in deepening bilateral relations.
The honorary consul further noted that after a decade, brotherly relations between Pakistan and Kazakhstan had been revived under the current government’s leadership, creating fresh momentum for cooperation across multiple sectors.