KARACHI: The Pakistan Business Forum (PBF), a representative body of traders and businesspersons in the country, on Monday urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s intervention in outlining a “clear economic roadmap” to promote long-term investment in Pakistan.

Business confidence in Pakistan has fallen sharply amid rising inflation, high energy costs and an unpredictable tax environment. Currency volatility and slowing demand have prompted many firms to delay investments and scale back expansion plans.

In a letter to PM Sharif, PBF President Khawaja Mehboob-ur-Rehman highlighted the challenges facing the business community, including high input costs, soaring energy tariffs and an increasingly “uncompetitive” tax regime that weakens exports.

“Looking ahead to 2026, the Pakistan Business Forum urged the prime minister to provide the business community with a clear, credible, and forward-looking economic roadmap,” read a PBF statement.

“Such clarity... is essential to restore confidence, encourage investment, and enable long-term planning by businesses.”