Pakistan, April 22 -- Pakistan's top investment body said on Tuesday that it has cleared regulatory hurdles to pave the way for seven new cement plants in the country worth a total investment of $700 million, stating that the move is expected to boost output, curb imports and enhance exports.

The Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) is a hybrid civil-military body formed in 2023 to fast-track decisions related to international investment in critical sectors such as tourism, livestock, agriculture and mines and minerals. It has been central to Pakistan's efforts to attract foreign investment and streamline regulatory approvals amid recurring balance-of-payments pressures.

Jameel Qureshi, the SIFC's federal secretary, shared a r...