Yasin calls UK an open market for Pakistanis — but says long-term policy consistency is key
ISLAMABAD:
UK Trade Envoy to Pakistan Mohammad Yasin has called on Pakistani businesses to explore investment opportunities in the United Kingdom, while also urging Islamabad to provide lasting economic and political stability to attract more foreign capital at home.
Speaking to The Express Tribune at the end of his three-day visit to Pakistan, Yasin struck a balanced tone — praising the country’s recent progress but cautioning that the path to sustainable growth requires long-term, uninterrupted policy reform.
“Pakistan is doing better than it was two years ago — there’s no doubt about that,” said Yasin. “But if you want to bring in long-term investment, you need long-term consistency in policies. A year and a half is not enough.”
Yasin, who was born in Pakistan, met senior political leaders and the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) during his trip. He also raised issues that continue to trouble UK investors, particularly around intellectual property rights and regulatory uncertainty in the pharmaceutical sector.
The visit comes as part of the UK’s broader 2035 economic growth policy, under which it is seeking foreign investment across eight strategic sectors. According to Yasin, this offers a unique opening for Pakistani businesses looking to expand abroad.
“We want Pakistan to take advantage of the UK’s open-door trade policy,” he said. “The UK is a haven for foreign investors, and Pakistani companies should come and be a part of this journey.”
Currently, bilateral trade between Pakistan and the UK stands at £4.7 billion — a figure Yasin believes has potential to grow significantly. “There’s no cap on how much this can increase by 2035,” he added.
He announced that a ministerial-level trade dialogue will be held soon in London, where both countries will discuss breaking down trade barriers and creating a smoother path for investment. Preparations for the dialogue are already underway.
Yasin emphasized that sectors such as information technology and agriculture are particularly ripe for growth and should be prioritized for exports. “We are very interested in these areas and want to see more engagement,” he said.
He also noted that mineral extraction is another field where the UK could contribute technical expertise. A British company has already secured a £53 million mining contract in Pakistan, while consultancy giant McKinsey is advising Islamabad on improving its fiscal and regulatory framework in the mining sector.
Despite this progress, Yasin warned that investor confidence hinges on stability. “Where there’s uncertainty — political, economic, or security-related — investors will hesitate. That’s just the reality,” he said.
The envoy highlighted Pakistan’s young population, including a growing number of female entrepreneurs, as a strength. “The human capital is impressive. But to fully unlock its potential, Pakistan needs better supply chains to help small and medium businesses scale.”
He also assured that the UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme — a post-Brexit replacement for the EU’s GSP+ — will remain in place, offering continued trade concessions to Pakistan.
Addressing the concerns of the Pakistani diaspora in the UK, Yasin said, “There’s a strong desire among British-Pakistanis to invest back home. But many haven’t been able to, simply because they don’t feel confident their investment will be safe.”
In his final remarks, Yasin struck a hopeful note. “The UK wants to invest here. UK companies are ready to come. Pakistan just needs to provide the confidence and stability they’re looking for.”
