Pakistan’s existing tax system remains one of the biggest obstacles to attracting foreign investment in the country, Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI) Secretary General Abdul Aleem said on Wednesday.
Addressing a ceremony to launch the OICCI’s Digital Report 2025, he said over Rs. 100 billion in tax refunds owed to OICCI member companies remained in limbo, adding the body’s more than 200 members contributed around Rs. 10 billion daily to the national exchequer.
Aleem emphasized that policy continuity is indispensable for the success of any digital transformation.
Martin Dow Group Chief Information Officer Syed Ijlal Jafri, meanwhile, said Google has demonstrated strong potential in Pakistan with the aim of equipping human resource working in various corporates with artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.
The OICCI Digital Report 2025 highlights strong momentum in Pakistan’s digital adoption, noting the country now has more than 150 million broadband subscriptions. Despite this progress, it warns, significant infrastructure gaps can slow future growth.
Participants at the ceremony stressed that fostering digitization requires the government discouraging cash-based transactions and creating an enabling environment for a cashless economy. It recommends lowering taxes on broadband services and digital devices, along with strengthening public-private partnerships to position Pakistan as a competitive regional digital economy.