CHINIOT, (APP – UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News – 15th Aug, 2026) Federal Minister for the board of Investment Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh on Saturday said Independence Day was an opportunity to renew the nation’s commitment to Pakistan and pay tribute to the sacrifices of the martyrs and founding generation who made the country’s creation possible.
Speaking to the media at his residence, he said Pakistan’s defence capabilities and strategic importance were widely recognized, but a strong economy was essential for sustaining national defence and achieving long-term progress.
The minister said the government was focusing on economic growth, investment promotion, business facilitation and job creation, while encouraging domestic and foreign investment. He said SMEs, agriculture and industry were key pillars of the economy and the government was working to remove unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles, improve regulatory frameworks and create a business-friendly environment to attract investors and generate employment opportunities.
Highlighting Pakistan’s strategic geographical position, Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh said the country had vast potential to expand trade and economic cooperation with China, Central Asia, Gulf countries and other regions.
He said the government was also focusing on economic zones, industrial expansion and investment promotion, while ensuring that ordinary citizens, including small businesses, motorcycle and rickshaw drivers and the middle class, benefited from economic development. He described the youth as the country’s future and said practical measures were being taken to create employment, entrepreneurship and development opportunities for them.
Commenting on the Makkah Agreement, the minister said cooperation among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye was an important step towards strengthening regional solidarity and mutual trust, and suggested that other Muslim countries should also be encouraged to join the framework. He said Pakistan’s diplomatic, defence and economic progress depended on national unity and collective efforts, adding that the country’s international standing had strengthened under the present government, the Prime Minister and military leadership. He expressed confidence that ongoing investment, regulatory and business facilitation reforms would accelerate economic growth and deliver lasting positive results.
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