Islamabad— Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will lead a high-level delegation to Riyadh from 27 to 29 October 2025 to participate in the ninth edition of the Future Investment Initiative 9 (FII9) summit in Saudi Arabia, the Foreign Office announced.
The forum, launched by the kingdom’s Public Investment Fund in 2017 as part of Vision 2030, will convene global leaders, investors, and innovators under the theme “The Key to Prosperity: Unlocking New Frontiers of Growth”. Pakistan’s delegation will include Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, along with senior Cabinet ministers.
Elevating Pakistan–Saudi Strategic Ties
The visit comes at a time when Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are seeking to broaden their longstanding partnership into new domains of trade, infrastructure, human resources, and energy. Islamabad has set out to highlight its investment potential and readiness to engage in sustainable development collaborations aligned with the FII9 summit’s agenda.
Discussions between the two states will span multiple areas: Saudi investments in Pakistan’s mining and energy sectors, expansion of Saudi-based employment opportunities for Pakistani expatriates, and collaboration on clean technology and innovation. Pakistan reportedly views the summit as a platform to attract foreign direct investment and strengthen economic diplomacy.
Pakistan’s Investment Pitch at FII9
At the summit, Pakistan intends to present its case as an emerging investment destination with opportunities in the digital economy, green energy, and human capital. The summit’s focus on innovation, sustainability, and economic inclusion offers a fitting backdrop for Islamabad’s aims.
Recent data highlight Pakistan’s economic challenge: while it hosts a large workforce abroad (notably in Saudi Arabia), sending remittances, it also faces fiscal pressures, a depreciated currency, and the need to diversify its economic partnerships. The FII9 visit signals Islamabad’s intent to reposition its narrative from aid dependency toward strategic partnership and mutual growth.
Challenges and Opportunities Ahead
While strong relations exist, for instance, the two countries signed a strategic mutual defence pact in September 2025, Pakistan still needs to address structural investment bottlenecks. Analysts note issues such as regulatory inconsistency, political volatility, and infrastructure gaps that have deterred sustained foreign investment. From Saudi Arabia’s perspective, Pakistan offers a large market, a young workforce, and geographic proximity to emerging regional corridors. Saudi Vision 2030’s drive to diversify the economy and leverage global partnerships aligns with Islamabad’s investment-seeking agenda.
What’s At Stake
For Pakistan, a successful outcome at FII9 could translate into new investment pledges, enhanced energy collaboration, and greater employment linkages for its expatriate community in the Kingdom. For Saudi Arabia, deeper cooperation with Pakistan supports its regional ambitions and provides access to manpower and strategic positioning.
The summit also provides a stage for Pakistan to engage with other participating countries and international organisations, thereby broadening its diplomatic and economic reach. As noted in the Foreign Office statement, the visit reflects Pakistan’s desire to operate under the “Think, Exchange, and Act” model.
