Karachi, 26-Jan-2026 (PPI): A prominent business figure has declared that Pakistan is entering a "golden hour" of economic opportunity, citing the country’s inclusion in US President Donald Trump’s "Board of Peace" and a powerful endorsement from the International Monetary Fund’s chief in Davos as historic validations of a national turnaround.

Mian Zahid Hussain, President of the Pakistan Businessmen and Intellectuals Forum, stated today that a recent diplomatic resurgence is now producing tangible economic confidence. Speaking to members of the business community, he identified two key developments from Davos: the country’s new role on the US-led peace initiative and exceptional praise for Prime Minister Mian Shehbaz Sharif from IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva.

The industrialist highlighted the significance of Ms. Georgieva’s public remarks that when the Pakistani Prime Minister gives his word, "it gets done". Hussain described this as a rare and potent accolade for the nation’s fiscal discipline, arguing that the IMF chief’s acknowledgement of "budget discipline translating into resources" is a clear message to global credit rating agencies that Pakistan has moved out of the danger zone of default.

He argued this vote of confidence would likely lower the risk premium on Pakistani sovereign bonds and stimulate foreign direct investment, signalling a trajectory of sustainable growth.

The veteran business leader also pointed to the "optics of power" during the "Board of Peace" launch, terming a specific interaction between US President Donald Trump and Field Marshal Asim Munir a "diplomatic coup". He noted that President Trump’s public query to the Prime Minister, "Where is my favorite Field Marshal?", followed by his personal warmth towards the Army Chief, demonstrated a restoration of strategic trust between the security establishments of both nations.

Mian Zahid Hussain analysed that in geopolitics, such personal rapport between leaders often precedes major economic concessions. He contended that President Trump’s visible regard for Field Marshal Asim Munir acts as a "security guarantee" for international investors, signalling that a renewed partnership with Washington underpins Pakistan’s stability.

He urged the government to leverage this unique civil-military alignment with the US to secure favourable terms for forthcoming reconstruction projects in Gaza and to fast-track negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the United States.

Concluding his remarks, Hussain emphasised that the combined effect of the IMF’s fiscal validation and the US President’s political backing has bridged the "trust deficit" that previously hampered the economy. He called on the business community to prepare for an anticipated surge in joint ventures.