IoBM Hosts Discussion on Pakistan’s Investment Landscape with Muhammad Azfar Ahsan

The Institute of Business Management (IoBM) hosted a session today where Muhammad Azfar Ahsan, founder and chairman of Nutshell Group and former Minister of State and Chairman of the Board of Investment, delivered a lecture on the investment climate in Pakistan. The session featured Muhammad Azfar Ahsan, Founder & Chairman, Nutshell Group who also served as Former Minister of State, and Chairman Board of Investment. The event opened with the President of IoBM, Talib Shahjahan Karim introducing the session’s agenda to an audience of diverse corporate leaders. During the session, Azfar Ahsan provided an analysis of the country’s investment climate, supported by a date of approximately 20 years. His Presentation highlighted how various governments performed during their tenures, identifying significant challenges and opportunities that have shaped the nation’s economic landscape. It concluded with strategic recommendations that aimed at fostering sustainable growth. Focusing on several critical factors, Ahsan discussed the importance of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), systemic challenges, strategic investment planning, and the role of political and religious influences in shaping economic strategies. He stressed the necessity of adopting data-driven approaches in policymaking to overcome longstanding barriers to progress. Highlighting the significance of Pakistan’s youthful demographic, which constitutes 67% of the population, Ahsan spoke against short-term fixes and advocated for a comprehensive 15-year strategic plan. He emphasized the potential economic gains from fostering strategic partnerships and encouraged moving past political divisiveness to form a cohesive national strategy. In addition, Ahsan recommended reorganising governmental institutions to meet contemporary economic demands, including better collaboration between ministries and integrating private sector know-how into public governance. Addressing a fundamental national challenge, Azfar pointed out the concerning disparity between productivity and satisfaction in Pakistani society. “As a society, Pakistan often finds contentment in minimal output, leading to a disconnect between effort and results,” he observed, calling for a transformative cultural shift towards efficiency and productivity. He concluded by stressing the importance of national unity, stating, “A national strategy is essential to overcome extreme political polarization,” and urged citizens to unite under a shared vision for Pakistan’s future. The session proved highly productive, offering attendees a deep understanding of the challenges hindering Pakistan’s economic growth. The comprehensive recommendations provided clear strategies on how to navigate these challenges, setting the stage for potential advancement and development across the nation.