ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Investment Qaiser Ahmed Shaikh said on Thursday there was no need for a “mini budget,” as the government could achieve its revenue targets without resorting to one.
He maintained that Pakistan was “open to business” to foreign investors, citing easier profit repatriation, improved law and order, business-friendly policies, and the establishment of special economic zones as factors boosting confidence in the economy.
Shaikh was speaking at the launch of an Oxford Economics study on Haleon Pakistan, which showed that the British consumer healthcare company contributed Rs27 billion ($98 million) to the national economy in 2024 and supported 6,600 jobs across the country.
According to the report, Haleon directly added Rs11 billion to GDP, employed 572 people, and paid Rs5.1 billion in taxes and levies. Its Rs17 billion procurement spending generated another Rs13 billion contribution to GDP and supported 4,400 jobs, while induced effects from wage spending added Rs3.5 billion and 1,600 jobs.
Highlighting Haleon as an example, Shaikh said multinationals were playing an important role in Pakistan’s economic revival. “Repatriation of profits is easy from Pakistan, the Board of Investment is facilitating businessmen, and we have established special economic zones. Multinationals like Haleon are showing how investment can support national progress,” he remarked.
Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani described the report as “a timely and important intervention in our national discourse,” adding that it presented “a powerful, data-driven narrative of what responsible multinational engagement in Pakistan can look like.”
Haleon Pakistan CEO and General Manager Qawi Naseer said almost every household in the country uses one or more of the company’s products, 99 percent of which are manufactured locally, with many also exported.
“Our approach is preventive care, and we are investing heavily in educating healthcare professionals and the public,” he said. Naseer said that the company was also working on biodegradable packaging, water conservation, and energy conservation as part of its sustainability drive.
British High Commissioner Jane Marriott described Haleon’s presence in Pakistan as a powerful example of UK-Pakistan trade and investment creating shared value.
“British businesses like Haleon are going beyond commerce by investing in communities, strengthening local manufacturing, and supporting national supply chains,” she said.
Industry leaders, diplomats and experts attending the event, including Ambassador Sohail Mahmood and UNICEF representatives, emphasised that Haleon’s contribution extended beyond GDP, supporting healthcare access, local supply chains, and sustainable practices.
With five sites in Pakistan, including a manufacturing plant in Jamshoro and regional sales offices in Karachi, Lahore, Multan, and Islamabad, Haleon said it remains committed to empowering communities, advancing preventive healthcare, and contributing to Pakistan’s long-term economic resilience.