ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has decided to optimize special economic zones (SEZs) to revitalize its industrial landscape, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s office said on Thursday, amid efforts to revive the $350 billion South Asian economy.
The decision was made at a meeting of the apex committee of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), a hybrid civil-military body established last year to eliminate bureaucratic hurdles in foreign investment and provide a one-window operation to foreign businesses.
The development came two days after Pakistan unveiled its five-year, homegrown National Economic Plan, which aims to target an annual investment goal of $10 billion as the South Asian country seeks to recover from a prolonged macroeconomic crisis.
PM Sharif presided over the SIFC meeting to review various economic initiatives, during which the participants expressed satisfaction over improving macroeconomic conditions and emphasized the importance of collective efforts for unhindered economic growth.
“During the session, the Committee approved the Action Plan for Optimization of SEZs to rejuvenate industrial landscape of Pakistan,” PM Sharif’s office said in a statement.
Pakistan plans to establish 35 special economic zones to facilitate businesses and industry, Board of Investment (BOI) officials said last month. They said they had conducted a survey of these SEZs under the Geographical Information System (GIS) and had extensive data to accelerate the progress of projects in these zones.
The South Asian country aims to attract foreign investment from friendly nations, including China and Gulf countries, as it gradually recovers from a prolonged economic crisis after narrowly avoiding a default in 2023.
The SIFC apex committee reviewed a proposal for minerals harmonization framework, while the forum was briefed on various initiatives in the domain of human resource development for the improvement of skills and global standard accreditation, according to the PM’s office.
“The prime minister appreciated the role of SIFC, ministries, departments and affiliated stakeholders in setting the tone for future activities during 2025,” it said.
“He also emphasized upon the importance of collective efforts at all tiers in the larger interest of the country.”
Pakistan to optimize special economic zones to rejuvenate industrial landscape
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Pakistan to optimize special economic zones to rejuvenate industrial landscape
- The development came two days after Pakistan unveiled its National Economic Plan, which aims to target $10 billion annual investment
- The country plans to establish 35 special economic zones to facilitate businesses and industry, according to Board of Investment officials
Pakistan deploys F-16 Block-52 jets to Saudi Arabia for multinational air combat exercise
- PAF joins US, UK, Gulf and European air forces in Spears of Victory-2026
- Deployment comes amid expanding Pakistan-Saudi defense cooperation
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Air Force has deployed F-16 Block-52 fighter aircraft to Saudi Arabia to take part in the multinational air combat exercise Spears of Victory-2026, marking a significant overseas deployment of its frontline combat jets, the military said on Monday.
The exercise is being hosted at King Abdulaziz Air Base and includes participation from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, France, Italy, Greece, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, the United Kingdom and the United States, bringing together a wide range of advanced fighter aircraft and combat support elements.
Such multinational drills are designed to test air forces in complex, high-intensity scenarios, including large force employment, night composite air operations, integrated intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, and operations in advanced electronic warfare environments. For Pakistan, participation provides exposure to contemporary combat doctrines and interoperability with leading Western and regional air forces.
“Pakistan Air Force contingent comprising F-16 Block-52 fighter aircraft, alongside dedicated air and ground crew, has arrived at King Abdulaziz Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to participate in the multinational aerial combat Exercise Spears of Victory-2026,” a PAF spokesperson said in a statement.
The statement said PAF pilots flying F-16 Block-52 aircraft equipped with modern avionics and beyond-visual-range capabilities would be “pitched against aircrew of participating Air Forces operating a wide array of sophisticated combat aircraft” during the exercise.
It added that for the international deployment, “PAF fighter aircraft undertook a non-stop flight from their home base in Pakistan to Saudi Arabia, demonstrating the long-range operational reach and expeditionary capabilities of Pakistan Air Force.”
The air force said participation in the exercise reflects its intent to validate operational preparedness in a contested, technology-driven battlespace while enhancing interoperability and professional exchange with partner air forces.
The deployment comes amid deepening defense ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. The two countries have expanded military cooperation through joint exercises, training exchanges and defense agreements in recent years, including a mutual defense cooperation pact signed last year.
Saudi Arabia remains one of Pakistan’s closest defense and security partners in the Middle East, with regular engagement across air, land and naval domains.
