Pakistan Business Summit 2025: Peshawar positioned as next regional hub of commerce

PESHAWAR: Peshawar, the “Gateway to Central Asia,” hosted the Pakistan Business Summit 2025 under the patronage of the Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Co-hosted by Nutshell Group and Al Baraka Bank (Pakistan) Limited, with the Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry as Strategic Partner, the Summit was themed “Shaping What’s Next.”

The inaugural session featured high-level leadership and keynote addresses. Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, Acting President of Pakistan & Chairman Senate, remarked: “Empowering women, securing peace, and fostering innovation will transform Pakistan’s resilience into lasting prosperity, unlocking global recognition and economic strength.”

Faisal Karim Kundi, Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, stated: “Endowed with hydel power, minerals, and tourism potential, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa stands at a crossroads, only through investment, peace with Afghanistan, and business–banking collaboration can the province unlock its role in driving Pakistan’s economic future.”

Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, Federal Minister for Finance & Revenue, emphasized fairness: “National development is only possible when all citizens equitably contribute through taxes, ensuring fairness, shared responsibility, and a sustainable path to economic sovereignty.”

Muhammad Ali, Federal Minister for Privatisation, highlighted structural reform: “Pakistan’s economy must shift toward a market-based model that reflects the strength of 240 million people. Our efforts need structure, performance, and competitiveness to achieve lasting progress.”

Muzammil Aslam, Minister for Finance, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, speaking on the pre-requisite of supportive policy framework for economic progress, said” Without consistent policies, stronger incentives, and a higher tax-to-GDP ratio, Pakistan cannot restore investor confidence or attract meaningful FDI.”

Kaan Terzioglu, Group CEO of VEON, underscored the urgency of digital readiness. Muhammad Atif Hanif, CEO of Al Baraka Bank (Pakistan) Limited, linked resilience to opportunity, and Muhammad Azfar Ahsan, Founder & Chairman of Nutshell Group, stressed Pakistan’s stability as a prerequisite for regional prosperity, stating,” Pakistan must focus on strengthening its education system, as 3.8 million children remain out of school. Without education, neither society nor the economy can progress. He noted that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, despite its vast resources, suffers from neglect and requires constructive development to stabilize society.”

The Summit’s subsequent sessions brought together senior leaders and executives from across Pakistan’s corporate and financial landscape, including Habib Bank Limited, National Bank of Pakistan, Dubai Islamic Bank, Fauji Fertilizer, State Life Insurance Corporation of Pakistan, Zakori Group, Abacus, Dawlance, Coca-Cola, Faysal Bank, easypaisa, LMKR, Teradata, TMC, AKD Securities, and advisors from China Energy Group. Alongside them, global and local thought leaders from ACCA, VEON, Al Baraka Bank (Pakistan) Limited, Planetive, Nutshell Group, and Spectreco LLC engaged in strategic discussions on climate resilience, green financing, workplace transformation, artificial intelligence, agriculture, and Pakistan’s investment climate.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2025