Why are so many Pakistani companies shifting to Dubai?

Around 4,000 Pakistani companies have shifted to the United Arab Emirates in the first six months of this year. This is a 17% rise compared to the same period in 2023, data from the Dubai Chamber of Commerce shows.

The highest number of companies that moved to Dubai — 7,860 — were from India. Pakistan had the second-highest number.

Industry leaders told Nukta it was because of the difficulties of doing business in Pakistan, where companies have to get approval from up to 36 departments, while they can get registered within 48 hours in Dubai through a one-window facility.