Pakistan’s FDI rises 27% to $4.02bn in FY2025, finance minister tells National Assembly

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Pakistan rose by 27.2% in the financial year 2025, increasing from $3.17 billion to $4.02 billion, Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Muhammad Aurangzeb informed the National Assembly in a written reply.

As per media reports, the minister said FDI had already recorded a 23.3% increase in FY2024, rising from $2.57 billion to $3.17 billion, marking two consecutive years of growth. He added that refunds worth Rs30.22 billion remain pending for 293,232 exporters, which are being processed by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).

During the first two months (July–August) of FY2025–26, Rs10.88 billion in refunds are pending for 94,379 exporters. 

Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, responding to supplementary questions, reaffirmed the 27.2% increase in FDI and noted a record surge in remittances in recent months.

Chaudhry said a regulatory framework for cryptocurrency operations has been established, including the creation of the Pakistan Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority and the Pakistan Crypto Council to oversee the sector.

Minister of State for Planning Chaudhry Armaghan Subhani said several projects have been launched to reduce poverty and improve living standards in underdeveloped regions, including a Rs40 billion programme targeting the 20 poorest districts of the country.

Parliamentary Secretary for Privatization Aasia Ishaque said the pre-bidding process for Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has been completed, with bidding expected by the end of November. 

She added that bids for the First Woman Bank have been received, with the sale agreement due on October 17, while the House Building Finance Corporation’s deal is expected by December.