The UK’s trade envoy to Pakistan, Mohammad Yasin, wrapped up his three-day visit to Islamabad this week with a clear message: Pakistan is making progress, but it needs to go further to win investor trust.
In an interview with The Express Tribune, Yasin, who was born in Pakistan, shared a cautiously optimistic view of the country’s economic and political landscape. “There’s no denying things have improved over the past 18 months,” he said. “But to attract serious investment, the country must stay consistent — especially on the economic front.”
The purpose of his visit was twofold: to encourage Pakistani businesses to invest in the UK, and to push for greater ease of doing business for British companies looking to enter Pakistan. He met with several government officials, including the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), to discuss challenges faced by UK investors.
Yasin described the current bilateral trade volume — £4.7 billion — as “underwhelming,” suggesting that both countries can and should aim much higher under the UK’s 2035 economic strategy.
“The UK is not only open for investment — we’re actively inviting it. We’ve outlined eight sectors under our modern industrial strategy. Pakistani firms should seize this opportunity,” he said.
However, he didn’t shy away from pointing out the challenges. From regulatory uncertainty to issues with intellectual property rights and pharmaceutical classifications, British firms continue to face hurdles in Pakistan. “Confidence is everything. Where investors sense instability, they back away,” he added.
He particularly emphasized the need for Pakistan to create a more stable environment — politically, economically, and in terms of law and order. “The intentions are there. But short-term improvements aren’t enough,” he noted.
Yasin highlighted Pakistan’s youthful population and entrepreneurial spirit as key strengths, especially the increasing number of women-led startups. He also spoke about potential collaborations in IT, agriculture, and mining — areas where the UK is already involved. One UK company recently signed a £53 million mining deal, and British firm McKinsey is currently consulting the Pakistani government on sectoral reforms.
Looking ahead, he announced a ministerial trade dialogue set to take place in London. The goal: to break down trade barriers and create smoother channels for business on both sides.
“The UK is not into protectionism. We support free and fair trade — and we want to work with Pakistan to make that happen,” he said.
His final appeal? “UK investors want to be in Pakistan. But they need stability. They need to believe their money is safe. That’s the only way long-term investment happens.”