Federal Minister for Investment Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh has stated that more than $50 billion has been transferred out of Pakistan to foreign countries, citing a challenging investment environment as a key reason behind the capital outflow.
Speaking during a media briefing on Thursday, the minister said that Dubai’s zero-tax regime has attracted significant Pakistani capital, while high taxation and economic uncertainty at home have pushed investors to move funds abroad.
He also claimed that some funds were shifted through informal channels such as hawala and hundi, although he noted that a portion of investors are now considering bringing capital back from Dubai.
The minister further added that due to the ongoing International Monetary Fund (IMF) program, Pakistan cannot introduce large-scale capital repatriation schemes at this stage. However, he said efforts are underway to improve the overall investment climate in the country and encourage the return of foreign-held Pakistani capital.
