More than 200 foreign investors in Pakistan have expressed concern over the deteriorating security situation in the country, as revealed in the 2024 OICCI (Overseas Investment Chamber of Commerce) Security Survey.
The annual survey conducted in June 2024 points to a noticeable decline in the overall security environment compared to the previous year. According to the OICCI, 80% of participants reported a worsening security situation in Karachi, up from 69% in 2023.
A rising wave of street crimes is not only plaguing Karachi but has also spread across Sindh, exacerbating investors’ fears.
The survey suggests a similar trend in Balochistan, where the security situation has worsened from 68% to 75%. On the contrary, there was a slight improvement in some regions.
Lahore’s security status improved significantly, falling from 73% to 49%, while Punjab saw a drop from 63% to 53%. Peshawar also reported an improvement, with security concerns falling from 68% to 58%.
Despite these advances, a significant 71% of survey respondents cited security concerns as the top barrier to doing business in Pakistan, mirroring last year’s sentiment. Growing security challenges are increasingly hindering foreign investors and companies operating in the country.
OICCI members emphasized that the deteriorating security situation poses a significant threat to the business environment and it is therefore imperative for the government to address these issues quickly.
