Pakistan has reiterated its desire to join the BRICS bloc, with Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb highlighting the country’s potential constructive role. In interviews with Azerbaijan’s REPORT and Russia’s RIA Novosti, Aurangzeb outlined Pakistan’s economic priorities, emphasizing macroeconomic stability, trade expansion, and investment-led growth.
Aurangzeb noted that Pakistan, already an active member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), is exploring alternative cross-border payment systems to support deeper engagement with BRICS. He emphasized improving foreign exchange reserves, ensuring currency stability, and offering sovereign guarantees or project-linked support to attract investor confidence.
On digital assets, the finance minister highlighted the central bank’s plans to regulate cryptocurrency activities, while establishing a virtual assets regulatory authority to address compliance and anti-money-laundering concerns. He also stressed the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in agriculture, healthcare, finance, and digital services, particularly benefiting Pakistan’s large freelancer base.
Aurangzeb further underscored regional connectivity and trade corridors, including the International North-South Transport Corridor, and identified energy, oil and gas, minerals, and industrial projects, such as a possible steel plant with Russia, as key cooperation areas. Discussions with Azerbaijan on trade and investment, including a potential $2 billion investment and oil pipeline projects, reflect growing investor confidence and the country’s focus on sustainable, trade-linked financing.
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