Dar Urges Overseas Pakistanis to Invest as Economy Stabilises
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has urged overseas Pakistanis in the United States to invest in Pakistan, telling community leaders in New York that the country has moved beyond a difficult economic phase and is now looking toward sustainable growth. His remarks were delivered at an Eidul Azha dinner attended by Pakistani-American professionals and community representatives.
Dar used the gathering to present the government’s economic message directly to the diaspora, describing overseas Pakistanis as a powerful national asset. He said Pakistanis abroad play a key role not only through remittances, but also through advocacy, investment, business connections and people-to-people engagement between Pakistan and the United States.
According to the Foreign Office account of his speech, Dar said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government had steered Pakistan through serious economic pressure toward stability. He pointed to declining inflation, improved credit ratings, a stronger external account and rising investor confidence as signs that the country’s financial position was improving after a period of uncertainty.
The foreign minister also highlighted the government’s focus on an export-led growth model. He said Pakistan needed to generate more foreign exchange, create employment and integrate itself more firmly into global supply chains, adding that overseas Pakistanis could become partners in that next phase by bringing capital, expertise and market access into the country.
Dar’s central appeal to the Pakistani-American community was emotional as well as economic. He asked them to honour their roots by investing in Pakistan and taking part in the country’s future progress. The message reflected Islamabad’s broader effort to turn diaspora engagement from symbolic support into practical investment in sectors that can create jobs and strengthen national productivity.
The speech also touched on Pakistan’s recent diplomatic posture. Dar said Pakistan was playing an active and constructive role in regional and global peace efforts, particularly as tensions in the Middle East remain a major concern. His remarks came during a visit to New York for United Nations engagements, where Pakistan has been pressing for restraint, dialogue and de-escalation.
Dar linked the current moment with May’s historical importance for Pakistan. He referred to Youm-i-Takbeer, observed on May 28 to mark Pakistan’s 1998 nuclear tests, and also mentioned last year’s confrontation with India, which the state now frames as Marka-i-Haq. By combining economic messaging with national security references, he sought to present Pakistan as both resilient and ready for growth.
The diaspora has long been one of Pakistan’s strongest external economic pillars. Remittances from overseas citizens help support households, stabilise foreign exchange inflows and contribute to national reserves. However, successive governments have struggled to convert emotional attachment into large-scale structured investment because of concerns about policy continuity, bureaucracy and business confidence.
For Pakistan, Dar’s appeal comes at a critical time. The government needs investment, export expansion and stronger international partnerships to support long-term recovery. If overseas Pakistanis respond with serious investment commitments, the impact could extend beyond remittances into entrepreneurship, technology transfer, real estate, manufacturing and export development.
The next step will depend on whether the government can translate the outreach into clear investment channels, credible protections and sector-specific opportunities for the diaspora. Dar’s message signals that Islamabad wants overseas Pakistanis to become active stakeholders in recovery, but investor confidence will ultimately rely on stability, transparency and consistent economic policy.