Mohsin Naqvi urges overseas wealth repatriation by Pakistani investors

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has urged the business community to bring back a portion of their overseas-held wealth, estimating that nearly $100 billion has been shifted out of Pakistan over the past three to four years.

Speaking at a meeting with business leaders in Karachi on Tuesday, the minister said that if traders take decisive steps, up to $10 billion could potentially be repatriated before the upcoming federal budget.

He encouraged investors to use formal financial channels, including Roshan Digital Accounts, to bring back 20–30% of their offshore funds. He said the government is working to create a more business-friendly environment and claimed that Pakistan offers some of the highest returns on investment globally.

“If you invest in Pakistan, the level of profit available here is unmatched anywhere in the world,” he said while addressing the business community.

Naqvi also revealed that the government is considering introducing a special passport for genuine businesspersons, similar to official and diplomatic passports. The proposal, he said, will be presented to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

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The initiative is intended to ease visa-related difficulties faced by legitimate traders, particularly for travel to countries such as China, the United States, Europe, and the United Kingdom.

Highlighting governance reforms, the minister said the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) would be made more facilitative for businesses, stressing that the wider business community should not be penalised for the actions of a few individuals involved in illegal financial activity.

However, he warned that strict action would be taken against those engaged in illicit money transfers. He also acknowledged concerns regarding money changers and said several major transaction groups in Karachi have already been identified and will face enforcement action.

Officials say the government’s broader aim is to strengthen financial transparency while encouraging capital inflows through legal channels.