Pakistan's Investment Minister Tells Young CEOs: Build Businesses, Not Just Careers

By Grace Kim

Pakistan's Federal Minister for the Board of Investment, Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, has called on the country's young entrepreneurs to abandon the traditional preference for salaried jobs and build businesses that create work for thousands — a message delivered as Chief Guest at the closing ceremony of the Young CEOs, Entrepreneurs & Innovators Event, Expo & Awards (YES 2026) in Islamabad.

Speaking under the event's theme, "Leadership, Innovation & Entrepreneurship for a Sustainable Future," Sheikh framed the stakes plainly: Pakistan needs to accelerate economic activity, expand its productive base and create more employment opportunities. Strong business growth, sustained investment and human development, he argued, are essential for building what he described as a prosperous, competitive and economically stable Pakistan.

The minister's core economic argument ran through capital and capacity. Investment, he said, brings capital, modern technology, improved productivity and new employment opportunities. Business expansion, in turn, strengthens industrial capacity, increases exports and contributes to long-term economic stability.

What did Sheikh say about Pakistan's lost ground?

One of the sharpest moments in the address was comparative. Sheikh observed that countries that once learned from Pakistan's development planning have since achieved substantially higher rates of economic growth. He named Dr Mahbub ul Haq among the Pakistani economists and planners whose structured approach to development still carries lessons — provided the country strengthens its institutions, encourages productive enterprise and builds an environment where businesses can compete internationally.

The takeaway, in plain words: Pakistan once exported economic planning know-how, and now imports the growth results.

Which sectors did the minister flag?

Sheikh pointed young founders toward specific arenas rather than general encouragement:

• Information technology and artificial intelligence, which he described as important avenues for innovation, investment and export growth;
• Technology-driven solutions aimed at clearly identified market needs, built to compete in international markets;
• Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which he said can support industrial diversification, innovation and employment generation.

He also pressed students and young professionals to make full use of university incubation facilities, mentorship opportunities and industry linkages. Business incubation centres, he said, help young entrepreneurs refine concepts, develop business models, connect with markets and investors, and build ventures capable of growing into national and international businesses.

How does Pakistan turn population into an economic asset?

Sheikh anchored his optimism in demographics. Referring to Pakistan's large population and young profile, he said the country must transform that population into an economic asset through education, skills development, entrepreneurship and productive employment. Several populous countries, he noted, have established themselves among the world's leading economies — and Pakistan, he argued, must similarly harness its human resources to accelerate development.

With sustained efforts, effective policies and greater entrepreneurial activity, he expressed confidence that Pakistan could strengthen its position among the world's major economies in the years ahead.

What is the Board of Investment actually committing to?

The minister moved beyond rhetoric to institutional promises. The Board of Investment, he said, is working to create a supportive, transparent and business-friendly environment — and its responsibility extends beyond attracting large-scale industrial investment to facilitating local businesses, emerging enterprises and innovative ventures at every stage of their development.

Concretely, Sheikh committed the board to:

• Reducing unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles;
• Streamlining procedures;
• Improving coordination among relevant institutions.

Young entrepreneurs, he said, should be able to focus on innovation, productivity and market development while benefiting from a more facilitative business environment. He also called for stronger collaboration among government institutions, universities, the private sector and financial networks, arguing that coordination among policymakers, academics and businesses is essential to bridge the gap between innovative ideas and commercial opportunities — and to give young enterprises access to mentorship, investment, technology and markets.

Sheikh closed by assuring participants of his continued support and accessibility, urging them to engage with government institutions whenever they need facilitation. Their contribution, he said, will grow increasingly important as Pakistan works to expand its economic base, strengthen competitiveness and create opportunity for a growing population. The test now is whether the Board of Investment's promised streamlining shows up in practice before YES convenes again.