Naqvi urges business community to repatriate “20-30 per cent” of wealth to Pakistan

Apr 15, 2026 | Economy

KARACHI (April 14, 2026) — Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has called on Pakistani business leaders to bring back a significant portion of their offshore wealth to support the national economy. Speaking at the Federation House on Tuesday, the Minister suggested that repatriating even a fraction of these assets before the upcoming budget would trigger a series of government incentives for the private sector.

Key Highlights

  • The Minister urged businessmen to bring back $10 billion over the next three months.
  • Naqvi highlighted that the process is simple and can be completed online via a dedicated app.
  • A new “Business Passport” is being developed to resolve visa issues for genuine investors.
  • The government plans to set up dedicated counters at airports for high-taxpaying business leaders.

A gesture of confidence before the budget

Minister Naqvi encouraged the business community to bring back 20 to 30 per cent of their international holdings as a gesture of confidence in Pakistan’s economy. He argued that the country currently offers strong returns on investment and that a collective move to repatriate funds would “compel” the government to take even more business-friendly measures in the next fiscal budget.

The “Business Passport” initiative

To address long-standing travel hurdles, the Interior Ministry is finalizing a proposal for a specialized passport for “genuine businessmen.” This document would serve as proof of a holder’s tax compliance and business scale, making it easier to obtain visas for the US, UK, China, and Europe.

The Minister explained that the passport would be issued after a rigorous verification process—potentially involving 100 to 150 different requirements—to ensure it is not misused. Once approved by the Prime Minister and the Cabinet, this initiative is expected to streamline international trade travel.

Cracking down on visa fraud

The Minister noted that many legitimate businessmen currently suffer from visa delays because of individuals who use illegal means to travel abroad. By creating a verified “Business Passport” category, foreign embassies will have greater confidence that the applicants are authentic investors. This system would be supported by the latest tax return data and business records held by the state.

Direct facilitation at airports

In addition to travel ease, the Minister promised that holders of the proposed business passport would enjoy a smoother experience at local airports. The government intends to establish separate, fast-track counters to save time for major contributors to the national exchequer. Naqvi emphasized that the government is fully committed to facilitating those who help stabilize Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves.

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