PM Shehbaz directs urgent restructuring of NTC on modern lines

Islamabad (Web Desk): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday directed the concerned authorities to immediately begin a comprehensive overhaul of the National Tariff Commission (NTC), focusing on its legal, administrative, and institutional framework.

Chairing a review meeting on the performance of the NTC, the prime minister emphasized the importance of conducting an independent, third-party evaluation of the NTC’s recent performance.

PM Shehbaz stressed that the commission must be updated and reorganised to function effectively within the parameters of the new tariff system.

He said that the aim of this restructuring is to improve the overall functionality and responsiveness of the organisation in line with evolving economic demands.

“The commission needs to adopt a modern approach that enables it to respond swiftly and efficiently to challenges related to domestic trade, exports, imports, and broader market trends,” the premier said.

Acknowledging the central role that data-driven research can play in supporting local industries, PM Shehbaz highlighted the need for the NTC to develop strong, automated research capabilities.

He noted that an informed and analytically capable commission could significantly contribute to resolving issues faced by domestic businesses.

The prime minister reaffirmed his government’s resolve to address the gaps in training and resources that have hindered the NTC’s performance. He said aligning the commission’s structure and operations with contemporary standards is a priority.

PM Shehbaz also ordered the immediate operationalization of the NTC’s Appellate Tribunal and asked for a detailed update on the progress of all directives by the following month.

The meeting was attended by several key federal ministers, including Dr Musadik Malik, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Ahad Khan Cheema, and Ali Pervez Malik, along with senior government officials from relevant departments.