PM calls for modernisation of business regulatory systems

Dawn reported that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered a modernisation of Pakistan's regulatory authorities, aimed at easing administrative obstacles and making the investment climate more open. Chairing a high-level review of ongoing economic reforms on Friday, he asked officials to create a single regulatory registry that would bring every existing requirement, rule and regulation under one framework.

Officials at the session said the Cabinet Committee on Regulatory Reforms approved 557 reforms spread over seven multi-sector areas, which are expected to yield annual savings of Rs460 billion. The premier also pushed for the Easy Business Act to be implemented across the country so that rules are harmonised between provinces and businesses receive uniform facilities.

He also ordered that reforms carried out by the Special Investment Facilitation Council be publicised widely, so that businesses know which facilities are available. A delegation led by Haroon Akhtar Khan, the prime minister's adviser on industries, will tour every province to brief provincial governments, while the SIFC and the Punjab chief secretary have been asked to finish connecting the eBiz Punjab system with the business facilitation centre in Islamabad by March 2027.