ISLAMABAD: The Tax Policy Office (TPO) of the Ministry of Finance has launched its pre-budget consultations from Karachi, initiating discussions with office-bearers of the Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI) and the Pakistan Business Council (PBC) to promote constructive engagement on tax policy challenges and reform priorities affecting the country’s investment climate.

The OICCI, the collective body representing the country’s top 200 foreign investors, hosted TPO Dir­e­ctor General Dr Najeeb Memon on Thurs­day for an interactive session with its members. This was followed by a separate consultation with members of the PBC.

OICCI President Yousaf Hussain said that a consultative, well-signalled, medium-term tax policy framework focused on broadening the tax base, simplifying compliance and aligning taxation with national priorities such as investment, exports and job creation would significantly improve investor sentiment and support sustainable economic growth.

OICCI Secretary Gene­ral M. Abdul Aleem emp­hasised the importance of tax reforms in sustaining investor confidence. “Foreign investors are increasingly looking beyond short-term stabilisation towards structural reforms,” he said.

Najeeb Memon appreciated the quality of engagement with OICCI members and assured participants that stakeholder input remains central to effective tax policymaking.

The discussion focused on understanding private sector challenges, identifying distortions in the existing tax regime and shaping tax policies that support investment, competitiveness and the formalisation of the economy.

Published in Dawn, January 9th, 2026