The Special Investment Facilitation Council, established in June 2023, aims to attract FDI from countries like the GCC and China, initially focusing on sectors such as IT and energy. It has since expanded to include tourism and industry, promoting both economic growth and environmental sustainability by leveraging renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and green tourism initiatives.

The Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) was established in June 2023 to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Pakistan through friendly countries, mainly the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and China. It aimed to invite investment in sectors considered low-hanging fruits, such as information technology (IT), minerals, mining, energy, agriculture, and defense. Over time, and based on recommendations from well-wishers, other sectors like tourism, industry, and privatization were also added.
After taking responsibility for reviving Pakistan's economy, SIFC embarked on measures to improve the country's investment climate. Through interactions with various organizations, corporate entities, and international business forums, it became evident that creating a business-friendly environment also required establishing an ecologically friendly environment. This includes controlling pollution, reducing the carbon footprint, and developing eco-friendly industries. 

Society has realized the importance of planting trees and has responded to the call for tree plantation, cleaning the environment, and removing waste from public places.

SIFC was able to identify various measures that can be undertaken to achieve these objectives while making efforts to improve the economy. Through the sectors it was already dealing with, SIFC started working on standards to reduce the carbon footprint and, hence, improve the ecological environment. A number of measures have been undertaken by SIFC towards this end, which are intended to be covered in the succeeding paragraphs.
Agriculture Sector. In the agriculture sector, while enhancing agricultural produce to ensure food security in the country has never been overlooked, steps have been taken towards reducing the environmental carbon footprint. The ‘Plant 4 Pakistan’ initiative undertaken by SIFC is an important measure towards reducing the country's carbon footprint. Steps have been taken to reclaim the forests, which had started depleting with ever-increasing settlements around them, illegal cutting of the trees, and not adopting a scientific approach towards afforestation. 
Many measures have been undertaken in the past few decades to enhance greenery, reduce the illegal cutting of trees, and limit the spread of housing societies on reserved lands. The 'Billion Trees Tsunami' was one such initiative in which the government undertook a tree plantation project. This time, however, a different approach has been adopted; making afforestation a social activity rather than a government initiative by involving the society, mainly comprising the youth, in reclaiming the greenery in Pakistan. Society has realized the importance of planting trees and has responded to the call for tree plantation, cleaning the environment, and removing waste from public places. 
Various welfare organizations, non-profit organizations (NPOs) and non-government organizations (NGOs) have vowed to help the government to mobilize society in general and the youth of Pakistan in particular to ‘Plant 4 Pakistan’. A seminar was held in May at the Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University, in which the government officials, elements of SIFC's Green Pakistan Initiative (GPI), volunteers from  NPOs and NGOs, and a vast majority of youth participated and established a common ground to strive for improvement of the environment in the country. Similarly, by using state-of-the-art machinery and equipment and the best practices of the world's most developed countries, Pakistan has already embarked upon measures to reap maximum benefits from the existing resources, including cattle farming, shrimp farming, oyster farming, and similar activities. 
Energy Sector. In the energy sector, a lot of work is underway to reduce pollution and improve the environment. Solar energy is being promoted for industrial, commercial, and domestic use to produce electricity and reduce dependence on fossil fuels for electricity generation. At least three solar projects have been launched—one each in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Punjab, and Sindh—to provide pollution-free electricity to the population.

Through the sectors it was already dealing with, SIFC started working on standards to reduce the carbon footprint and, hence, improve the ecological environment.

Similarly, the Chinese factory Build Your Dreams (BYD) Auto Company Limited, a subsidiary of BYD Company Limited, which is considered an expert in manufacturing battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), has signed memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with Pakistan to establish BEV and PHEV manufacturing facilities in the country. The SIFC has been a crucial element in facilitating these activities, which are very important for both our economy and the environment. Currently, Pakistan's big cities are facing challenges due to uncontrolled pollution caused by an ever-increasing population, the consequent rise in vehicle use, and the government's inability to provide quality public transport for commuting.

The ‘Plant 4 Pakistan’ initiative undertaken by SIFC is an important measure towards reducing the country's carbon footprint. Steps have been taken to reclaim the forests, which had started depleting with ever-increasing settlements around them, illegal cutting of the trees, and not adopting a scientific approach towards afforestation. 

Through the facilitation by SIFC, the petroleum sector has decided to introduce Euro-5, a world-class standard fuel for its customers in Pakistan. Octane + Euro-5 is now obtainable at selected Pakistan State Oil Company Limited (PSO) stations countrywide. This fuel standard assists in lessening harmful vehicle emissions, which further reduces the effect on our environment, thus benefiting the ecosystem while improving an engine's performance. 
Tourism. With the government's resolve to promote tourism in Pakistan, many measures have been initiated in the country towards this end. A dedicated Green Tourism Company has been established under SIFC to cater to tourism while ensuring the preservation of ecological and environmental standards. There is a lot of awareness among the masses to reduce environmental pollution and contribute to ecological preservation. 
Measures such as taking care of zoo animals by providing them with near-natural environments, reclaiming reserve forest areas, protecting endangered species, and preserving the environment are being implemented in Pakistan. This is a very positive sign of the Pakistani people's concern for nature conservation. The Green Tourism Company has been mandated to promote tourism in the country, with an emphasis on protecting the environment. Pakistan is blessed with various landscapes, including plains, deserts, mountains, forests, rivers, lakes, and oceans. Each of these terrains has its own unique ecology, habitats, and environmental systems.
While promoting tourism is important to showcase the unique species of flora and fauna, breathtakingly beautiful sites, and vast mineral resources and geological wonders of Pakistan to both locals and international visitors, it is essential to preserve these resources for future generations.
Challenges
Whenever an initiative or a new concept is introduced in any society, mental inertia is the first challenge. Changing the public mindset is tough initially. However, when people realize they must accept the change, there is no looking back. Along with this, there is a need for the realization that national goals, objectives, and missions take priority over personal objectives. Development begins when we recognize that systemic change is necessary and important for national survival.

The Chinese factory Build Your Dreams (BYD) Auto Company Limited, a subsidiary of BYD Company Limited, which is considered an expert in manufacturing battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), has signed memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with Pakistan to establish BEV and PHEV manufacturing facilities in the country.

Today, we face challenges in the country regarding the mindset of the population, the attachment to personal benefits, ambitions, and goals versus national objectives, and the capacity limitations that hinder the country's success. Pakistan is blessed with a population comprising almost sixty-one percent youth—young and energetic people who believe in action rather than procrastination. I have a lot of hope for the youth of Pakistan. Provided they are given the correct direction and guidance, they will set their courses to success and prosperity. Pakistani youth can steer the country out of any impending crisis or disaster and make Pakistan shine brightly in the comity of nations. The only requirement is to provide them with direction, a clean environment, and examples of best practices being followed by successful nations towards prosperity and development.
I have a lot of hope that, under the current circumstances, the SIFC is a platform with the capacity to help Pakistani youth steer the country out of crisis and toward development and prosperity. We need to believe in the system and support the organization in fulfilling the national objectives.