Global digital operator VEON has increased its planned investment in Pakistan over the next three years to $1.5 billion from the previously announced $1 billion, according to Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb. The revised commitment represents an additional $500 million in planned investment and comes as Pakistan continues efforts to attract international capital, expand private-sector activity and strengthen its digital infrastructure.
Aurangzeb shared the updated investment figure while speaking virtually at the SDGs Investment Fair 2026, organised by UNDP Pakistan in Karachi. He described the additional $500 million commitment as a significant increase and said the higher investment plan reflected continued interest from international investors in Pakistan.
VEON had earlier announced a $1 billion investment plan for Pakistan, with the funds intended to support the expansion of connectivity, modernisation of infrastructure and digital innovation across the country. The revised $1.5 billion plan increases the scale of the company’s planned investment over the three-year period and reinforces the importance of Pakistan within VEON’s broader digital operations.
The increased investment commitment comes as Pakistan seeks to encourage foreign investment in sectors that can contribute to infrastructure development, technology adoption and private-sector growth. Digital connectivity has become an important part of economic activity, with businesses and consumers increasingly dependent on telecommunications and digital services for payments, commerce, communication and access to online platforms.
During his remarks, the finance minister also discussed interest from international companies in Pakistan’s privatisation programme. He said three Turkish companies had expressed interest in the first distribution company being offered under the programme. The development indicates continued attention from foreign investors toward opportunities linked to Pakistan’s energy and infrastructure sectors.
Aurangzeb also highlighted developments in Pakistan’s capital markets and the growing number of companies seeking to raise equity through the Pakistan Stock Exchange. He said 11 initial public offerings were completed during the previous fiscal year, while five IPOs were completed during the last quarter. The activity reflects continued efforts by companies to use the stock market as a source of capital for business expansion and investment.
The finance minister further said that Khaadi is preparing for an initial public offering. He also noted that around 22 real estate investment trusts are expected to list over the next couple of years. The expected listings could expand the range of investment opportunities available through Pakistan’s capital markets while providing companies and real estate projects with additional channels for raising funds.
According to Aurangzeb, companies raising equity through the stock market are generally seeking to use the capital for investment, expansion of existing local operations or the establishment of new business units. Equity financing can therefore provide companies with resources to increase production capacity, develop new facilities and support longer-term business plans without relying entirely on traditional forms of financing.
VEON’s revised investment commitment adds to the broader investment activity being discussed across Pakistan’s technology, telecommunications, infrastructure and financial markets. The company’s focus on connectivity, infrastructure modernisation and digital innovation places its planned spending within sectors that are increasingly important to the country’s digital economy.
The increase from $1 billion to $1.5 billion also comes at a time when Pakistan is seeking to improve investor confidence and increase the participation of international and domestic private-sector companies. Alongside investments in telecommunications and digital infrastructure, the government is pursuing opportunities through privatisation, capital-market listings and other channels to encourage private investment.
The revised VEON plan therefore represents an expansion of the company’s previously announced commitment to Pakistan, with the total planned investment now reaching $1.5 billion over the next three years. The investment is expected to support connectivity, infrastructure and digital innovation, while the wider investment initiatives discussed by the finance minister point to continued efforts to expand private-sector participation and deepen Pakistan’s capital markets.
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