The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has affirmed its commitment to scaling up investments in Pakistan, particularly in the transport and communications sector.
"Pakistan remains a priority country under the ADB's development programme," remarked Regional Head Leah Gutierrez while talking to Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan on Tuesday. The regional head, who was accompanied by a delegation, invited the minister to participate in the upcoming Bishkek Conference in November, said a press release.
Gutierrez and her delegation members assured the minister that the bank would continue to expand investments in Pakistan not only in the communications sector but also across other fields while promoting business-to-business (B2B) and government-to-government (G2G) initiatives.
Speaking on the occasion, Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan said that Pakistan values its partnership with the ADB and the bank's interest in road infrastructure development was highly encouraging. He highlighted that significant investment opportunities exist in communications, railways and infrastructure sectors.
Abdul Aleem underscored the importance of Carec (Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation) programme in attracting international investment. "Bringing together multiple countries under one roof for investment in Pakistan is a positive step that will particularly enhance road infrastructure and the overall communications sector," he remarked.
The federal minister emphasised Pakistan's commitment to completing trade corridors through Iran, Afghanistan and China, adding that such connectivity would not only strengthen trade but also promote tourism.
He underlined the necessity of launching direct flights between regional countries alongside railway track upgrades and road construction.
He informed the ADB delegation that Pakistan has made remarkable progress in visa facilitation by enabling the issuance of multiple-entry visas, particularly for the business community, within 24 hours.
He proposed that Carec member states, similar to the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc), could consider streamlined visa issuance and enhanced regional connectivity.
Senior officials, including the federal secretary for communications, the chairman of the National Highway Authority and other high-ranking officers, briefed the ADB delegation on key departmental matters during the meeting.
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