The Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) is the body most foreign investors in Pakistan now hear about first. It was created to cut through the coordination problems that have long slowed large projects. This guide explains what it is, how it works and how an investor can engage with it.
What the SIFC is
The Prime Minister constituted the SIFC in June 2023 under the government’s Economic Revival Plan (Board of Investment, SIFC). Its stated role is to act as a “single window” for investors, develop an enabling policy environment, overcome bureaucratic hurdles, speed up decisions and fast-track projects. It was set up with a particular focus on investment from the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. In June 2024 the government approved a dedicated division for the SIFC (Profit, 24 June 2024).
How it is organised
| Tier | Members | Meets |
|---|---|---|
| Apex Committee | The Prime Minister, federal ministers, the four provincial Chief Ministers and the Chief of Army Staff | Quarterly |
| Executive Committee | Chaired by the Federal Minister for Planning, with federal and provincial ministers, chief secretaries and the Board of Investment | Monthly |
| Implementation Committee | The SIFC secretariat, with sector coordinators and co-opted officials from the Finance Division, FBR, State Bank and provinces | Fortnightly |
Source: Board of Investment, SIFC. Bringing federal ministries, provinces and the military into one forum is meant to resolve issues that previously needed many separate approvals.
Priority sectors
The SIFC began with five sectors: agriculture, information technology and telecommunications, minerals and mining, energy, and defence production. Its remit has since been widened to cover all sectors of the economy. Projects in the original five sectors still receive the most attention.
What the SIFC does and does not do
- It does coordinate departments, track priority projects, resolve inter-agency bottlenecks and present investment opportunities to foreign governments and companies.
- It does not replace the ordinary legal requirements. Companies still incorporate with the SECP, register with the FBR, obtain sector licences and, for branch or liaison offices, apply to the Board of Investment.
How an investor can engage
- Prepare a concise project note: sector, location, investment size, structure, timeline and the specific approvals or decisions needed.
- Approach through the Board of Investment, which sits on the SIFC’s committees, or through the relevant federal ministry or provincial board of investment.
- Keep the ordinary process moving in parallel: incorporation, tax registration and licences do not wait for SIFC facilitation.
- Use official channels only and keep written records of every meeting.
How PIVRA can help
PIVRA offers investment facilitation and agency liaison (from USD 2,500 per month): introductions to Pakistan’s investment bodies through official channels, preparation for meetings you request, and follow-up, with you present at every meeting. We never claim influence over decisions or promise faster approvals. See our compliance standards or request a quote.