KARACHI: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Tuesday urged the business community to bring back “20-30 per cent” of their wealth to Pakistan ahead of the upcoming budget.
Speaking at a ceremony at the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), the minister said the government would facilitate the business community, but asked them to “make at least this one gesture over the next three months, before the budget, and then see what happens”.
“It is not tedious. You just have to go online and use an app,” he said, adding that Pakistan offers strong returns on investment.
He said that if the business community took this step, it would encourage the government to take further measures in their favour.
Interior minister calls for $10bn inflows before upcoming financial plan, promises govt facilitation in return
“So, before the budget, bring back $10 billion. This is easily possible,” he added.
In his address, he also said that a proposal for a separate passport for businessmen would soon be presented to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
“We have almost prepared a proposal, which will be taken to the prime minister soon,” he said.
He noted that “genuine businessmen” face visa issues, identifying China, the United States, Europe
and the United Kingdom as key destinations.
He added that everyone suffers when some individuals attempt to obtain visas through illegal means.
“We deliberated extensively on how to address this issue. Let’s see what the cabinet approves and what feedback the prime minister provides.
We are moving forward with this proposal after consulting these countries for issuing a separate passport for businessmen,” he said.
“The passport will be used to a limited extent, with authorities having access to details such as tax returns, the scale of business, and other relevant information,” he added, noting that it may include 100 to 150 requirements and a fee.
Explaining its benefits, he said embassies would be able to verify that holders are genuine businessmen. He emphasised that the document would be issued after thorough verification. Separate counters for such passport holders would also be established at airports.
“We still need approval from the prime minister and the cabinet, but I believe that if implemented, it will greatly satisfy the business community,” he said.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the interior ministry in a clarification regarding his address said that Mr Naqvi did not state that $100 billion had been taken out of Pakistan in one year.
He clarified that the minister had only referred to “estimates circulating in public discourse”, saying that around Rs100bn had gone out of the country over the past three to four years.
The spokesperson added that some TV channels were airing the statement out of context, which is contrary to the facts.
Published in Dawn, April 15th, 2026
