PM Shehbaz directs faster implementation of Ease of Doing Business Act 2025

Islamabad (Web Desk): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday directed the authorities concerned to accelerate the execution of the government’s reform agenda and ensure the swift enforcement of the Ease of Doing Business Act, 2025, in a bid to create a more business-friendly environment across the country.

While chairing a high-level review meeting on ease of doing business, the prime minister directed officials to arrange independent assessments by internationally recognised organisations to verify both the implementation and effectiveness of the reforms.

He emphasised that unlocking Pakistan’s full economic potential by encouraging domestic and foreign investment remains one of the government’s highest priorities.

PM Shehbaz also ordered the immediate preparation and submission of a comprehensive progress report detailing the implementation of the ease of doing business initiatives.

The prime minister praised the Ministry of Law and Justice, the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), the Board of Investment, the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Industries and Production, along with other relevant departments, for their contribution to framing legislation and introducing policies aimed at simplifying business operations.

During the meeting, officials presented an update on the reforms already introduced and outlined the strategy for the remaining measures.

The participants were briefed that 558 reforms designed to cut unnecessary regulations, reduce documentation requirements and simplify approval procedures had been finalised. Of these, 71 policy initiatives have already been enforced, while work on implementing another 272 measures is progressing at a fast pace. The reforms are being rolled out in seven phases across different sectors of the economy.

The meeting was informed that by lowering regulatory compliance costs, these reforms are expected to save the business community approximately Rs468.7 billion.

Officials further explained that removing cumbersome regulations and excessive paperwork would strengthen exports, encourage higher levels of foreign direct investment and create more employment opportunities throughout the country.

PM Shehbaz directed that the pace of implementation of the ease of doing business reforms, as well as the number of jobs generated through these initiatives, should be included among the key performance indicators used to evaluate the performance of officials in the relevant institutions.

The meeting was attended by Federal Ministers Azam Nazeer Tarar, Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, Jam Kamal Khan, Ahad Khan Cheema and 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 officials from the concerned departments.

Governor State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Jameel Ahmad, the chief secretaries of all four provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, along with internationally renowned experts in the field, participated in the meeting through video link.