By: Faheem Anwar
Islamabad: Prominent entrepreneur and former Executive Member of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) Omar Butt on Thursday said Pakistan is emerging as an important diplomatic intermediary in the ongoing regional tensions and could play a stabilising role in the Middle East in the post-conflict environment.
In a statement, Butt said Pakistan’s diplomatic engagement and balanced approach have enhanced the country’s global standing and opened new economic opportunities. He credited the political and military leadership, particularly the Prime Minister and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal General Asim Munir, for strengthening Pakistan’s position at a critical time in regional geopolitics.
He said Pakistan’s ability to maintain communication channels with multiple stakeholders has created space for the country to contribute to peace efforts and facilitate dialogue where required.
Omar Butt noted that changing security dynamics could also create opportunities for Pakistan’s defence industry. He said global demand for relatively low-cost defence technologies, particularly unmanned aerial systems and surveillance equipment, is likely to increase following the conflict.
According to him, Pakistan’s growing expertise in cost-effective defence manufacturing places the country in a favourable position to expand its defence exports in the coming years. “The evolving security environment will push many countries to strengthen their defence capabilities, and Pakistan has the capacity to supply competitive equipment,” he added.
Butt also said the conflict has exposed vulnerabilities in parts of the Middle East that were previously considered secure investment destinations. As a result, he expects investors to explore alternative markets, including Pakistan, particularly in the real estate and infrastructure sectors.
He emphasised that Pakistan could benefit from a potential increase in investment from Gulf Cooperation Council countries seeking to diversify their economic partnerships while strengthening strategic ties with Islamabad.
However, Butt stressed that Pakistan must introduce clearer regulations and stronger investor protection mechanisms to attract and sustain foreign capital. Transparent property laws, streamlined approvals and policy stability would help convert potential interest into long-term investment, he said.
He added that if managed properly, the current geopolitical shift could translate into stronger economic cooperation, increased defence exports and deeper investment links between Pakistan and Gulf economies in the coming years.
