- Advertisement -
PESHAWAR, Oct 03 (APP):Amid the grandeur of a high-profile venue and the call of national and international stakeholders, the Pakistan Business Summit 2025 held in Peshawar was not merely a gathering of policymakers and business leaders but was a poignant symbol of hope, and a bold step towards an economically empowered future for the country including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Set against the backdrop of a region once synonymous with law and order challenges and displacement, the summit marked a powerful turning point transforming the narrative from struggle to strength, from survival to innovation and discouragement to hope.
As impressive and forward looking speeches reverberated through the halls and ideas flowed across panel discussions, one message stood out that KP is ready to claim its place as a strategic hub of trade and economic opportunity keeping in view its important geographic location.
Held under the theme “Shaping What’s Next”, the summit was graced by the presence of Acting President and Chairman Senate, Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, along with Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and Advisor to the Prime Minister on Privatization, Muhammad Ali.
Together with industry leaders, investors, and academics, they brought credibility, commitment, and vision to the summit’s ambition aimed at creating an inclusive, innovation-driven business ecosystem in KP.
But beyond the official titles and policy jargon, it was the shared optimism among attendees that breathed life into the important event attended by a cross-section of society.
“This summit is not just a gathering of elites but an open invitation to every entrepreneur, student, financial expert and business dreamer in KP to be part of Pakistan’s economic future,” said Dr. Zilakat Malik, former chairman economics department at the University of Peshawar, who has long advocated for KP’s resource development.
The symbolic weight of hosting the summit in Peshawar, a city once grappling with security challenges, was promoting trade and business besides attracting investment. Just over a decade ago, KP was a land of IDP camps and military operations but today, it aspires to be a gateway to Central Asia, owing to its geographic position near Afghanistan and the Central Asian Republics.
In his keynote address at chief guest, Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, Acting President of Pakistan did not just speak as a statesman but spoke as a father, a survivor, and a witness to the price of peace, harmony and mutual coexistence.
“When I was Prime Minister, my own son was abducted by terrorists. Yet I chose dialogue, progress, and partnership with the international community,” he recalled emotionally. His words found resonance in a room filled with people whose families had been affected by terrorism. But now, the same soil is being seen as fertile ground for business, trade, and sustainable growth.
He said that 60% of our population is young, adding that its not a burden but our biggest asset.
Several speakers stressed the need to equip this youth bulge with digital skills, entrepreneurial training, artificial intelligence and international-standard certifications.
Advisor to the Prime Minister for Privatization, Muhammad Ali has further identified untapped potential among women and overseas workers. “Most of our women are educated but not part of the workforce. And many of our workers abroad don not have proper certifications and vocational training. We need structural reforms not just in education, but in mindset.”
With an eye on the future, Muhammad Ali urged investment in artificial intelligence, biosciences, and genetic engineering the areas that could not only create jobs but redefine Pakistan’s place in the global economy.
Abu Zafar, a prominent voice in tourism, reminded of KP’s ancient legacy from the Gandhara civilization to the mighty K-2 and the economic boost that a well-developed tourism sector could bring. “Pakistan has stories worth billions but we just need to digitize and tell them before world,” he said.
Whether it is tourism, mineral extraction, or cross-border trade, KP’s proximity to Afghanistan and CARs positions it as a unique gateway. Dr. Zilakat Malik argued that now is the time to showcase KP’s hidden treasures from gemstones to marble and tourism to Ghandara art to the world.
Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb offered a candid outlook on the economic road ahead, adding with a projected $41 billion in remittances and recent successful payments on international obligations like the Eurobond, he expressed optimism for more economic laurels.
“The direction is right. But we must restore people’s trust in the taxation system,” he said, adding the ongoing efforts to reform tax policies and broaden the tax base. He stressed the importance of public-private partnerships, coordination between provinces and the center, and a shift towards export-led growth.
Outside the grand conference rooms, the ripple effect of the summit was already being felt. Sumbul Bibi, a young entrepreneur from Nowshera attending the event for the first time, said, “It’s inspiring to see our region being discussed not as a problem, but as a possibility and hope. I run a small handicrafts business now I want to learn how to export.”
Zeshan Qaiser, a student from the University of Peshawar added the idea that KP could be a technological and trade hub seemed like a dream. Today, it feels possible.”
The Pakistan Business Summit 2025 was not just about charts, speeches, or handshakes but it was about changing mindsets and igniting hope among people and young entrepreneurs.
It reminded a region bruised by security challenges that it holds within it the seeds of innovation, resilience, and prosperity. It told stories of courage, like Yousuf Raza Gilani’s tribute to noble peace award winner Malala Yousufzai, and looked toward a future where KP’s youth are not just survivors but they are leaders, creators, and global competitors.
The landmark summit may have lasted a day, but its suggestions and recommendations if followed through with real policy and investment could reverberate for decades.