Islamabad: Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has reiterated Pakistan's commitment to facilitating foreign investment and maintaining regular engagement with the U.S. business community. He was talking to the Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, United States Department of State John Mark Pommersheim and U.S. Charg© d'Affaires Natalie A. Baker, who called on him in Islamabad today.

According to Radio Pakistan, the Minister highlighted growing investor confidence, citing recent indigenous investment initiatives and increased private-sector participation. He emphasized that the government will stay the course in strengthening fiscal discipline, ensuring external stability, and undertaking structural reforms that support durable growth.

Muhammad Aurangzeb noted that reforms in state-owned enterprises and right-sizing of the public sector are being accelerated to improve efficiency and reduce fiscal risks. On privatization, the Minister reaffirmed the government's resolve to move forward expeditiously and said that the privatization process is gaining momentum, with upcoming steps including transactions in the banking and power distribution sectors, as well as outsourcing of major airports beginning with Islamabad.

On his part, Pommersheim acknowledged Pakistan's efforts toward fiscal stabilization and emphasized that the United States values a stable and prosperous Pakistan, noting that strengthening the investment climate remains a shared priority. He observed that U.S. businesses are closely watching reform progress and that improved policy consistency would further support commercial engagement.

The meeting concluded with both sides expressing appreciation for the constructive dialogue and agreeing to maintain close engagement to further strengthen Pakistan-U.S. economic cooperation.