PM Sharif meets Freedom Holding CEO, AIIB President to boost investment and economic cooperation

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held separate meetings with Freedom holding CEO and AIIB President to boost investment, expand financial sector cooperation, and promote digital finance, according to separate statements from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO)

Timur Turlov, Founder and CEO of Freedom Holding Corporation of Kazakhstan, who also chairs the Kazakhstan-based financial services conglomerate, held talks with PM Sharif in Islamabad. The meeting covered potential entry points, including branch establishment, digital financial services, and correspondent banking partnerships, as per the PMO press release.
 
PM Sharif conveyed warm wishes to Kazakhstan's President, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, and cited Pakistan's economic reform agenda and investor-friendly policy direction as the basis for inviting Freedom Holding to enter Pakistan's financial markets.
 
Both sides discussed collaboration across retail brokerage, Islamic banking solutions, fintech innovation, and capital market development.
 
Turlov expressed confidence in Pakistan's economic trajectory. He also indicated his company's interest in long-term strategic investments aligned with Pakistan's development priorities.
 
Federal Minister for IT Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani, among others, accompanied the prime minister.

‘Long-term partnership’

Later today, PM Sharif also received the President of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), Zou Jiayi, accompanied by a high-level delegation, at the Prime Minister’s House.

He appreciated AIIB’s continued support for Pakistan’s socio-economic development agenda.

The Prime Minister highlighted the government’s priorities for “sustainable and inclusive” economic growth, the statement added. He identified key areas for future collaboration with AIIB, including railways, agriculture and agro-based industry, regional connectivity, renewable and indigenous energy resources, as well as youth participation in IT and artificial intelligence.

The prime minister underscored ongoing policy reforms aimed at economic stability and long-term development, as well as steps being taken to foster an investment-friendly environment.

“He noted that partnerships with leading multilateral financial institutions such as AIIB are vital for achieving these objectives,” said the statement.

He expressed hope that the visit of the high-level delegation would further strengthen Pakistan’s relations with AIIB.

The President of AIIB, while thanking the government and people of Pakistan for their warm hospitality, recalled Islamabad’s valuable role during the establishment of the bank.

She also praised the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and acknowledged his strong commitment to the progress and prosperity of Pakistan, according to the statement.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further expanding cooperation and working closely to promote sustainable development, regional integration, and economic growth, said the statement.