Pakistan and Qatar on Tuesday discussed recent developments in the region, especially in Iran and Afghanistan, and stressed the need for de-escalation and dialogue to avoid possible conflicts.

The development came as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan bin Ali Al Thani during an official visit.

“Regional developments were also discussed, in particular the situation in Iran and Afghanistan. Both sides emphasised the importance of dialogue, de-escalation and collective efforts to promote peace and stability in the region,” said an official press release issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

According to the handout, the meeting reflected the shared resolve of Pakistan and Qatar to further elevate their strategic partnership across all areas of mutual interest.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed bilateral cooperation in defence and security and reaffirmed the strong and historic ties between Pakistan and Qatar, it said.

PM Shehbaz expressed satisfaction over the ongoing collaboration between the armed forces of the two countries. He underscored Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthening defence cooperation and expanding collaboration.

Meanwhile, the Qatari official appreciated the professionalism and expertise of the Pakistan armed forces and conveyed Qatar’s interest in deepening defence partnership between the two countries, it said.

PM Shehbaz stresses importance of ‘enhancing trade volume’

Earlier, PM Shehbaz, in a meeting with the minister of state for foreign trade of Qatar, underscored the significance of “enhancing trade volumes” between the two countries.

In his meeting with Minister of State for Foreign Trade of Qatar Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Sayed, who is also the chairman of the Pak-Qatar Joint Business Taskforce, the premier stressed the “importance of enhancing bilateral trade volumes” between the two countries, as per a statement via the PMO.

He also called for “diversifying Pakistan’s exports to Qatar, particularly in agricultural products, food items and value-added goods”.

The two sides “reviewed bilateral trade and economic cooperation and expressed satisfaction over the growing momentum in Pakistan–Qatar relations”.

The pair also held discussions on the “follow-up to the 6th Session of the Pakistan–Qatar Joint Ministerial Commission and reaffirmed their commitment to implementing agreed decisions”.

During the meeting, PM Shehbaz “highlighted Pakistan’s investment-friendly reforms,” citing the “role of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) in facilitating foreign investment”.

The Qatari minister also expressed interest in “expanding economic cooperation and strengthening private-sector and business linkages between the two countries”.

It also decided to convene a meeting of the Pak-Qatar Joint Business Taskforce “within the month of Ramazan to discuss concrete investment proposals for Qatari investment in Pakistan”.

The PMO added that the meeting between the two leaders “underscored the shared resolve to further deepen trade, investment and industrial collaboration between Pakistan and Qatar”.

Also present during the meeting were Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar and Special Assistant to the PM Tariq Fatemi.

Qatar Businessmen Association calls on PM Shehbaz

Separately, a delegation of the Qatar Businessmen Association (QBA), led by the association’s chairman Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani, called on the prime minister, the PMO said in a separate statement.

The premier lauded the QBA’s “constructive role in strengthening economic and commercial linkages between Pakistan and Qatar”.

As per the statement, the prime minister also assured the delegation that “Pakistan attached high importance to private-sector-led engagement as a key pillar of the bilateral partnership”.

The premier invited the QBA members to “explore opportunities in infrastructure, logistics, energy, agriculture, technology and export-oriented manufacturing” in Pakistan.

The QBA chairman expressed interest in “enhancing business-to-business cooperation and exploring investment opportunities in Pakistan”.

As per the statement, the two sides decided to “maintain close engagement, including during the upcoming visit of the taskforce on Pak-Qatar investment to Doha later this month, as well as hosting of business forums, to translate discussions into concrete economic partnerships”.

“Both sides agreed to undertake special efforts to facilitate linkages between the businesses and entrepreneurs of both countries so that business-to-business relations between Pakistan and Qatar can be enhanced,” the statement read.

It added that the meeting underscored the “shared commitment” of the two countries to “further expand trade and investment ties through strengthened collaboration between their respective private sectors”.

According to an earlier Foreign Office (FO) statement, PM Shehbaz, during his visit, is set to hold a bilateral meeting with Sheikh Tamim, which will cover the “entire spectrum of relations, including political engagement, economic collaboration, energy partnership and people-to-people exchanges”.

“The two sides will also explore new avenues of cooperation, particularly in the areas of trade, investment, energy, infrastructure development, and manpower export,” the FO said.

The PMO statement further said that PM Shehbaz was expected to meet Qatar’s Deputy PM Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, who also serves as the minister of state for defence affairs, and Minister for Foreign Trade Ahmad bin Mohammed Al-Sayed.

A delegation from the Qatar Businessmen Association is also scheduled to call on PM Shehbaz during his stay in Doha.

Upon his arrival at Hamad International Airport last night, the premier was received by Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Qatar Muhammad Aamer and other senior officials.

PM Shehbaz is accompanied by FM Dar, Tarar, and his aide Fatemi as part of the official delegation.

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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is attracting substantial foreign interest across a broad spectrum of sectors, including energy, logistics, information technology, agriculture, mining, and digital infrastructure, with much of this activity taking place through partnerships and joint ventures with local companies.

Over the past three years, 79 new foreign companies have commenced operations in the country, while foreign firms invested Rs40.7 billion in key sectors during the same period.

According to data released by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), 1,157 foreign companies are currently registered and operational in Pakistan.

Nineteen foreign companies exited the market over the last three years. In 2023, 31 new companies entered Pakistan while six ceased operations. In 2024, 21 entered and nine exited. In 2025, 27 new companies registered, compared to just four closures.

Beyond new market entries, foreign participation has also expanded through equity transactions. A total of 61 shareholding transactions involving foreign companies and local entities were recorded during this period.

Of these, 29 involved transfers to other foreign companies, four to foreign individual investors, 20 to local individual investors, and eight to local corporate entities. Many of these deals were driven by global portfolio restructuring among multinational corporations.

Saudi Arabia’s Wafi Energy acquired Shell Pakistan’s operations as part of Shell’s global reorganisation strategy. Dubai-based PTA Global Holdings secured a majority stake in Lotte Chemical Pakistan following an international agreement between Lotte Chemical and TotalEnergies. Switzerland’s Gunvor Group and Total Parco Limited acquired equal stakes in TotalEnergies Pakistan, while Saudi Aramco purchased a 40 per cent equity stake in Gas & Oil Pakistan Limited.

In logistics, UAE-based DP World entered into a joint venture with the National Logistics Corporation, strengthening Pakistan’s transport and supply chain infrastructure.

In the digital sector, Bazaar Technologies acquired Wemsol, and Saudi Arabia’s Waqub Data Company secured an 80pc stake in Pakistani technology firm Woot Tech.

In the telecommunications sector, PTCL acquired Telenor Pakistan’s operations as part of regional restructuring in the telecom sector.

In pharmaceuticals, Pfizer transferred its Karachi manufacturing plant and related assets to Lucky Core Industries to ensure continuity of local production, while France’s Sanofi sold its majority stake to a local investor consortium, after which the company was renamed Hoechst Pakistan Limited.

Agriculture has attracted strategic foreign partnerships as well. Italy’s Euricom S.p.A. acquired a 50pc stake in Fatima Euricom Rice Mills. Meanwhile, Netherlands-based Berkeley Square Holding B.V. obtained 50pc shareholding in Ogilvy & Mather Pakistan, Mindshare Pakistan, and Soho Square Pakistan.

The mining and minerals sector has seen growing international interest, with investment activity from Barrick Gold, Strategic Metals US, and Nova Minerals US.

The electric vehicle segment is also emerging as a new frontier, with entrants such as BYD, Chery Automobile, and NWTN Motors exploring opportunities in the local market.

In technology and telecommunications, global firms including Google, Samsung, Relational, IceWarp, Pro Device, and Russoft Synercon are expanding operations.

Infrastructure development is being supported by Abu Dhabi Ports and Portugal’s Mota Engil Group.

Existing foreign investors have likewise deepened their commitments. Mashreq Bank has launched and is expanding Pakistan’s first digital bank, while Kuwait-backed Raqami Digital Bank plans to invest $100 million.

UAE telecom group e& announced the successful completion of the acquisition of Telenor Pakistan by PTCL, a subsidiary in which it holds a 23.4pc effective economic interest.

Nestlé is investing an additional $60 million, and VEON Group has increased its investment in Mobilink Bank.

The Engro Jazz consortium is committing more than $550 million toward digital infrastructure expansion.

Additional major inflows include a $1 billion commitment from the UAE government through a local partner, a $160 million cement capacity expansion by the Mansha Group, the entry of global logistics firm Nippon Express into TCS, and renewed capital injections into the mining and minerals sector.

Meanwhile, the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has accelerated industrial cooperation, resulting in 24 business-to-business agreements worth more than $1.5 billion, alongside memoranda of understanding exceeding $7 billion across agriculture, renewable energy, information technology, minerals, and industrial relocation.

Overall, this signals an influx of foreign capital in traditional manufacturing-heavy industries along with digital and technology-focused industries.

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Pakistan’s benchmark index, KSE-100, closed in the red on Tuesday, down 1432.54 points.

Topline Securities noted that the session witnessed pronounced volatility, with the index staging a brief rebound to an intraday high of +1,546 points before intensified selling pressure pushed it to a low of –3,783 points.

Despite the decline in points, trading activity remained robust, with total volumes clocking in at 687 million shares and turnover reaching Rs38.4 billion.

The top active stocks were led by K-Electric Limited, falling 1.17pc to Rs7.57 at a volume of 64,848,829, followed by The Bank of Punjab, declining 1.62pc to Rs29.70 at a volume of 49,139,683, and Worldcall Telecom Limited, falling 0.76pc to Rs 1.31 at a volume of 45,981,935.

The top advancers were led by Abdullah Shah Ghazi Sugar Mills Limited, rising 12.32pc to Rs9.12, followed by Chenab Limited, rising 11.79pc to Rs9.48, and Ittefaq Iron Industries Limited, rising 10.49pc to Rs8.11.

The top decliners were led by LSE Capital Limited.(Right) declining 20.62pc to Rs0.77, followed by Paramount Spinning Mills Limited falling 13.40pc to Rs5.62, and Gulistan Spinning Mills Limited declining 13.09pc to Rs6.04.

This 0.85pc fall from its previous close of 167,691.08 points comes on the heels of the index’s bloodbath on Monday, the third major meltdown at the PSX in the past two weeks, with the KSE-100 losing 5,149.80 points on February 16 and 6,683 points, the steepest single-day decline in history, on February 19.

Mohammad Sohail, CEO of Topline Securities, noted that the market is in “correction mode.” He stated that the current sell-off “appears to be driven by above-average foreign selling, Reko Diq-related concerns, softer corporate results, and stock futures unwinding”.

Interestingly, he cautions against deeming this as a bearish market, calling it an “11pc correction instead”.

AKD Securities believed that geopolitical developments and the outcome of the upcoming IMF review mission, due to arrive next week, will be crucial in determining investor sentiment.

Investors will also be looking towards corporate earnings reports for a possible upside.

Pakistan Oilfields Ltd announced its 2QFY26 results today. The company recorded a profit of Rs6.3bn, down 17pc YoY but up 16pc QoQ. This takes 1HFY26 earnings to Rs41.29/share, up 16pc YoY, according to Topline Securities.

The brokerage house noted that earnings came out higher than expectations, driven by higher-than-expected other income and a lower Effective Tax Rate (ETR), which stood at 26pc in 2QFY26, compared to 37pc in 2QFY25 and 33pc in 1QFY26.

Additionally, Hub Power Company announced its 2QFY26 results today. The company reported earnings of Rs10.6bn, an increase of 152pc YoY. Their profits were down compared to the previous quarter by 9pc due to higher ETR. According to Topline Securities, this result came lower than expectations due to a higher-than-expected ETR.

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