Overseas Chamber Survey Finds Security Among Top Three Business Risks

The Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry released its 2026 Security Survey, which paints a stark picture of the investment climate in Pakistan. According to the report, 71 percent of senior executives from member companies now rank security as one of their three most critical business concerns.

Law and order deterioration continues to be cited as a leading barrier to investment. In Karachi, 42 percent of respondents said the city’s safety environment has slipped compared with the previous year’s 41 percent. The situation is more severe in Quetta, where 81 percent of firms noted a decline, and in Balochistan, where the figure reached 86 percent.

Street‑level crime remains the predominant fear. Half of the Karachi participants reported an increase in road‑related offences, up from 45 percent a year earlier. In Quetta, the perception of rising crime rose sharply from 24 to 37 percent.

Overall, 32 percent of the surveyed companies indicated that worsening security has already taken a toll on their business performance, up from 28 percent. Employee safety during routine travel is also a pressing issue, with 45 percent of Karachi firms and 83 percent of Quetta firms expressing concern.

The survey further highlighted that 88 percent of companies feel the spill‑over effects of the Middle East conflict are affecting their supply chains, reducing business activity and amplifying employee‑protection worries. OICCI has urged the Pakistani government to maintain focused security actions, reinforce police structures and accelerate institutional reforms to build a safer, more trustworthy environment for foreign investors.