Company announces $440 million deals in pharmaceutical sector.

BY Mahnoor | 18-07-2026

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, while repeating Pakistan’s promise to Chinese investors, said on Friday that the safety of Chinese workers in Pakistan is the government’s top concern and assured them of full protection.

Speaking at the Pakistan-China Pharmaceutical Business-to-Business Conference, he praised the signing of nine deals worth about $440 million between private companies from Pakistan and China in the drug industry. He called this a big step towards stronger economic ties and the next phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC 2.0).

The prime minister said he was sure the agreements would become real projects. He said they would increase investment in making medicines, vaccines, research and development, and help Pakistan become a regional center for making and exporting life-saving drugs.

He said, ‘I think this will finally lead to making life-saving medicines, vaccines, research and development, and become a center of excellence for exporting our great products to nearby countries.’

He said China always helped Pakistan in hard times and has already put over $30 billion into the first part of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). He called these new partnerships another big step in growing economic teamwork.

The prime minister said “congratulations” to Pakistani and Chinese business people for the deals. He praised Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Haroon Akhtar Khan, Pakistan’s Ambassador to China Khalil Hashmi, Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong, government groups, and business leaders for making the meeting a success.

The prime minister also noted Pakistan’s work for peace in the area. He said that with help from friends, especially China, Pakistan helped in talks during the recent regional problem.

He thanked President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang, and other Chinese leaders. He also thanked Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar for their work in diplomacy.

Earlier, PM Shehbaz Sharif saw the signing of agreements worth $440 million between the two sides in the medicine field.

How easy it is to do business

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif told the responsible people to speed up the government’s policy plans and the Ease of Doing Business Act, 2025.

During a meeting about making business easier, he said to make sure outside groups check if these steps are working well.

The meeting was told about progress in making changes and about future plans.

Participants learned that 558 changes had been finished to lower rules, paperwork, and approval steps for businesses. Of these, 71 policies are already in place, while 272 are moving forward quickly. The changes are being brought in seven stages across different sectors. It was said that these steps are expected to save the business community around Rs468.7 billion by cutting the costs of following rules.

The meeting was told that cutting unnecessary and complex paperwork and rules would help increase exports, attract more foreign investment, and create new jobs.

URAAN Program

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif told the students in the URAAN Overseas Pakistan Summer Scholars Program to use their learning, research, and global experience to help the country grow and succeed.

He met with the scholars. They are now doing a six-week internship with the Ministry of Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives to study problems in Pakistan.

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