Pakistan has once again expressed its strong desire to join the BRICS group, as the country looks to expand its trade, investment, and financial links beyond traditional partners. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said Pakistan could play a positive and constructive role within BRICS, especially at a time when the bloc is widening its engagement with emerging economies.
In interviews with Russia’s RIA Novosti and Azerbaijan’s Report Information Agency, the finance minister laid out Pakistan’s economic vision, placing macroeconomic stability at the centre of all reforms. He stressed that without a stable currency, predictable policies, and confidence in profit repatriation, no economy can attract long-term investment. According to him, restoring trust among investors remains the government’s top priority.
Aurangzeb noted that Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves are gradually improving and are approaching coverage of three months of imports. To further reduce investor risk, he said the government could consider sovereign guarantees and export credit agency support for selected projects, depending on their strategic importance.
On financial innovation, the finance minister revealed that the State Bank of Pakistan is examining digital currencies, keeping in view the large number of Pakistanis already active in cryptocurrency markets. Rather than banning the sector, the government aims to regulate digital assets through a proposed virtual assets regulatory authority, while ensuring compliance with anti-money laundering and capital flow regulations.
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He also highlighted the growing importance of artificial intelligence, especially in agriculture, finance, healthcare, and public sector management. Pakistan’s large and young freelancer workforce, he said, could significantly benefit from AI-driven productivity gains.
Aurangzeb added that Pakistan is keen to learn from Russia’s experience in using AI for public finance and budgeting, while making certain that human oversight still holds the most importance in decision-making.
On regional connectivity, the finance minister emphasized Pakistan’s interest in trade corridors such as the International North-South Transport Corridor, which could link South Asia with Central Asia, Russia, and Europe. He identified energy, oil and gas, minerals, mining, industrial cooperation, and even a potential steel plant as promising areas for collaboration with Russia.
Discussing ties with Azerbaijan, Aurangzeb said relations are increasingly delivering economic results. Azerbaijan has displayed interest in investing nearly $2 billion in Pakistan, particularly in energy and mining.
Talks are also underway on projects like a possible oil pipeline by SOCAR. Importantly, he clarified that such cooperation would be highly based on trade and investment, not aid, using instruments such as project financing, guarantees, and Islamic finance tools.
All-inclusively, Pakistan’s renewed BRICS push is displaying its broader goal: diversifying partnerships, strengthening regional connectivity, and securing sustainable growth in a changing global order.