Attracting Foreign Direct Investment in Pakistan: The Role of Governance, National Security and Global Investment Trends

Private sector investment has become one of the most essential sources of international capital flows to developing countries. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) as one type of private sector investment has the potential to drive economic growth and development. Understanding the factors that motivate or deter foreign investors from investing in a developing country therefore is crucial. This thesis examines the particular case of Pakistan and analyzes internal and external factors that have affected the inclines and declines in inflows of FDI to the country between 2000 and 2014. By performing a comparative sectoral analysis, this thesis examines the effects of government efficacy, national security, and global levels of FDI inflows on FDI inflows on three distinct sectors in Pakistan: Energy, Telecommunications, and Financial Services. The thesis argues that a rapidly deteriorating domestic situation post-2008 due to weakened governance and limited security provision within the country has increased the perceived levels of risk and uncertainty associated with investing in Pakistan. This has resulted in a sharp decline in FDI inflows to the country