Finance minister arrives in London to meet British investors

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has arrived in London on a three-day official visit aimed at bolstering economic engagement and drawing foreign investment into the country, Radio Pakistan reported.

Upon arrival at Heathrow Airport, the minister was received by Pakistan’s High Commissioner to the UK Dr Muhammad Faisal alongside senior officials from the High Commission.

During his visit, Aurangzeb will meet British government representatives, executives from global financial institutions, and business leaders. The primary agenda centres on enhancing bilateral economic ties and promoting Pakistan as a destination for foreign direct investment.

One of the key engagements includes participation in an investment roundtable titled "Pakistan Access Day," organised by Jefferies, a leading investment banking firm.

Aurangzeb will also attend a roundtable discussion with UK-based tech investors, focusing on opportunities in artificial intelligence, mining, and healthcare. Muhammad Ali, the Prime Minister’s Advisor on Investment, will accompany him at both events.

Aurangzeb’s visit includes high-level government meetings. He is set to visit His Majesty’s Treasury Department, where he will meet with Lord Livermore, the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, along with other senior officials.

The finance minister will also visit the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) for meetings with Leo Docherty, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Middle East, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, and other senior British officials.

In addition, the minister will engage with officials at the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) and meet its Chair, Richard Hughes, along with his senior team.

Aurangzeb is also scheduled to visit the Bank of England headquarters, where he will hold discussions with Governor Andrew Bailey and his team.

His visit includes meetings with top executives of major financial institutions such as Deutsche Bank and Standard Chartered Bank. He will also meet with Simon Baugh, Chief Executive of the UK Government Communication Service, and Marcus Hall, Head of Cargill Global Trading UK.

Discussions are also planned with representatives of British American Tobacco.

Beyond formal engagements, Aurangzeb and Muhammad Ali will attend a business dinner hosted by the Pakistan High Commission in London, which will bring together prominent British investors and business leaders.

The finance minister will also participate in interactive sessions with selected members of the international and British press, where he will address questions on Pakistan’s economic reforms, fiscal strategy, and investment priorities.