In a move that emphasizes the influential role of Pakistan's military, army chief General Asim Munir has engaged in a series of meetings with the business community, pledging to attract significant foreign investment to the financially struggling country. During a four-hour meeting with prominent businessmen, such as Zubair Motiwala and Tariq Yousuf, Gen Munir discussed the potential for billions of dollars in investments from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait. These investments would be aimed at sectors such as IT, minerals, agriculture, and defense.

The army chief also emphasized the need for reforming the bureaucratic hurdles that impede investment. He expressed his reliance on the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) to address these obstacles, following Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman's identification of them as hindrances. Additionally, Gen Munir requested that $10 billion be kept in the State Bank of Pakistan to increase foreign exchange reserves. What sets Gen Munir apart from his predecessors is his proactive approach to economic revival. His recent visits to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were aimed at reviving the Pakistani economy, and he plans to continue this effort by visiting Qatar and Kuwait.

Notably, Gen Munir has hinted at a reluctance to seek a new program with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), citing the fund's restrictions on working freely and an anticipated increase in power rates as part of the program. The military, widely known as the establishment, has directly controlled Pakistan for almost half of the country's history since partition in 1947. While the military has repeatedly stated its non-interference in politics, its influence in state affairs remains evident. Recently, it has actively participated in financial decision-making processes and engaged directly with the IMF and other key allies of Pakistan.

Furthermore, Gen Munir assured the business community in Lahore of transparency in dollar exchange and interbank rates. He pledged to bring money exchanges under the purview of taxation, fostering transparency in these areas. This commitment was seen as a response to the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry's call for greater control over US dollar rates in both interbank and open markets. Overall, Gen Munir's engagement with the business community and his efforts to attract foreign investment highlight the military's significant role in Pakistan's economic revival. With promises of billions of dollars from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait, as well as initiatives to address bureaucratic hurdles and promote transparency, there is hope for a brighter economic future for the cash-strapped country.