Islamabad (HRNW)- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the relevant authorities to expedite the implementation of ease of doing business reforms aimed at facilitating traders, investors, and businesses across Pakistan.
The directive was issued during a review meeting on ease of doing business, where the Prime Minister instructed officials to accelerate the implementation of the government’s policy initiatives and the Ease of Doing Business Act 2025.
Shehbaz Sharif emphasized the need for third-party validation by international organizations to assess the effectiveness and implementation of the reforms. He said that fully utilizing Pakistan’s vast potential for local and foreign investment remains one of the government’s top priorities.
The Prime Minister also directed the preparation of a comprehensive report on the implementation of ease of doing business measures and appreciated the efforts of the Ministry of Law and Justice, Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), Board of Investment, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Industries, and other relevant institutions for their work on legal and policy reforms.
During the briefing, officials informed the meeting that 558 regulatory reforms aimed at reducing unnecessary paperwork, approvals, and business regulations had been completed. Of these, 71 policy measures have already been implemented, while work is underway on 272 additional reforms, which are being introduced across various sectors in seven phases.
The meeting was told that these reforms are expected to save the business community an estimated Rs468.7 billion by reducing compliance costs and bureaucratic hurdles.
Officials further stated that simplifying regulations and eliminating unnecessary procedures would help boost exports, attract foreign direct investment (FDI), and create new employment opportunities.
The Prime Minister directed that the performance evaluation of officers in relevant institutions should place significant emphasis on the implementation of ease of doing business reforms and the employment opportunities generated through these initiatives.
The meeting was attended by Federal Ministers Nazir Tarar, Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, Jam Kamal Khan, Ahad Khan Cheema, Syed Mustafa Kamal, Minister of State Bilal Azhar Kayani, Adviser to the Prime Minister Muhammad Ali, Special Assistant Haroon Akhtar, Attorney General Mansoor Awan, and senior government officials.
Governor State Bank Jameel Ahmad, along with the Chief Secretaries of all four provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and internationally renowned experts, also participated in the meeting via video link.
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