Key Takeaways
- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed officials to expedite the rollout of the Ease of Doing Business Act, 2025.
- The reforms aim to reduce regulatory requirements and boost foreign direct investment by Rs468.7 billion annually.
- A comprehensive implementation report will be prepared and assessed independently by international organisations.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed officials to accelerate the implementation of the Ease of Doing Business Act, 2025, in a bid to enhance Pakistan’s business environment. The directive was issued during a high-level review meeting aimed at improving the ease of doing business and attracting both domestic and foreign investment.
The reforms are part of a seven-phase programme that includes streamlining regulations, reducing paperwork, and simplifying approval procedures for businesses. According to officials, 558 reforms have been completed, with 71 policy measures already implemented and another 272 under implementation.
The government expects these measures to generate significant savings for the business community by reducing compliance costs. The reforms are also anticipated to boost exports, attract higher levels of foreign direct investment (FDI), and create new employment opportunities through simplified regulations and eliminated procedural requirements.
In his address, Prime Minister Sharif highlighted the importance of performance evaluations in relevant institutions, emphasizing that officials should be held accountable for implementing ease-of-doing-business reforms. He also praised various ministries and departments for their role in drafting the legislation and formulating policies to improve Pakistan’s investment climate.
The meeting reviewed progress on the reform programme and discussed the roadmap for its next phase. The Ease of Doing Business Act, 2025 is designed to simplify interactions between businesses and the government by reducing regulatory requirements and digitising public services. It also sets deadlines for official decisions and treats applications as approved if authorities fail to respond within the prescribed period.
The reforms are expected to lower the cost of doing business, improve regulatory certainty, and make Pakistan a more attractive destination for investment. The meeting was attended by key government officials including Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan, Investment Minister Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, Law and Justice Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Cheema, Health Minister Mustafa Kamal, and others.
State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Governor Jameel Ahmad, the chief secretaries of the four provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, as well as internationally recognised experts, participated via video link. The prime minister’s directive underscores his commitment to creating a more competitive business climate that can attract both domestic and foreign investment.
