Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal on Wednesday addressed a gathering of Pakistani-American business leaders in Chicago, comprising 20 entrepreneurs, technologists and financiers, of which more than a third were former Fortune 500 executives, and invited them to bring their capital, networks and expertise to Pakistan.

The minister stressed that Pakistan stood at a defining moment, where recent gains in national security, diplomacy and macroeconomic stability must be translated into sustained economic growth. “Pakistanis abroad remain deeply connected to their homeland and the Pakistani-American community has distinguished itself across every field – from technology and finance to healthcare, energy and academia,” he said.

“After the difficult but necessary reforms, the country has restored macroeconomic stability, brought inflation down, slashed policy rate and earned international recognition as one of the world’s leading economic turnaround stories. The vision is there. The economy has been rebuilt. What we need is your capital, your networks and your expertise.”

The minister emphasised that Pakistan’s constructive role in promoting regional peace had strengthened investor confidence and created new opportunities for trade and international partnerships, adding that the time was ripe for overseas Pakistanis to include Pakistan in their professional and investment portfolios. Most members of the delegation have already made multiple investments and are engaged in philanthropic efforts in Pakistan. The event was held to transform the ongoing relationship into a structured partnership around the Uraan Pakistan economic agenda. Iqbal outlined the Uraan target of a $1 trillion economy by 2035 and a $3 trillion economy by 2047, anchored to the 5Es framework – exports, e-Pakistan, environment and climate change, energy and infrastructure, and equity and empowerment.