Key Points
- SIFC and Punjab review measures to improve Pakistan’s business environment.
- Reforms target simpler registration, licensing and regulatory compliance procedures.
- Asaan Karobar aims to harmonise business regulations across provinces.
- Punjab’s eBiz system is due to integrate with Islamabad by March 2027.
LAHORE, Pakistan: The Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) and the Punjab government have agreed to advance regulatory reforms aimed at simplifying business procedures, reducing hurdles and strengthening Pakistan’s investment environment through improved federal–provincial coordination.
The initiative was discussed at a high-level meeting between Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif and a delegation led by Haroon Akhtar Khan, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production, according to an official statement issued on Monday.
The discussions focused on improving the ease of doing business, promoting industrial development and aligning regulatory reform initiatives to create a more efficient, transparent and investor-friendly business environment.
The meeting underscored the importance of coordinated implementation of regulatory reforms across provinces and regions, with particular emphasis on simplifying business registration, licensing and compliance procedures.
The adoption of the Asaan Karobar reform framework and the sharing of provincial best practices were highlighted as key steps towards reducing regulatory fragmentation, improving access for businesses and creating a more consistent framework for investment facilitation nationwide.
Turning reforms into savings
The latest initiative comes as the government seeks to accelerate a broader regulatory reform programme designed to reduce the cost of doing business and remove unnecessary administrative requirements.
According to official government figures reported by the Associated Press of Pakistan on October 24, a total of 557 regulatory reforms had been endorsed, with the measures projected to generate annual savings of Rs460 billion for businesses.
The reforms are intended to simplify regulatory requirements, reduce compliance costs and ease procedural burdens affecting business operations. Their potential impact, however, will depend on implementation across the relevant federal and provincial departments.
The government’s Asaan Karobar initiative is intended to provide a more coordinated framework for regulatory modernisation, bringing together reform measures across sectors and jurisdictions. Its official portal reported 186 reforms implemented and 371 in progress, alongside estimated cost savings exceeding Rs450 billion.
The meeting also highlighted the importance of sharing provincial best practices and improving coordination between federal and provincial authorities to ensure that businesses face fewer procedural obstacles.
Digital facilitation push
Digitalisation is a key component of the government’s broader effort to make business registration and regulatory compliance more accessible. Punjab already operates Business Facilitation Centres, which bring together representatives of multiple government agencies to help businesses obtain necessary licences, permits and no-objection certificates under one roof.
The Punjab government’s existing business facilitation arrangements are intended to reduce the need for businesses and investors to approach multiple departments separately. The proposed expansion and integration of digital systems could further streamline applications and inter-agency coordination.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also directed officials earlier in October to establish a comprehensive regulatory registry consolidating existing business rules and requirements. He called for nationwide implementation of the Easy Business Act and instructed the SIFC and Punjab chief secretary to complete the integration of Punjab’s eBiz system with Islamabad’s Business Facilitation Centre by March 2027.
The proposed integration is intended to improve coordination between business facilitation systems and help create a more consistent regulatory environment for enterprises operating across jurisdictions.
SIFC’s wider mandate
The meeting was followed by a press conference addressed by Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan and the Secretary of the SIFC.
The press conference highlighted the importance of sustained institutional coordination and targeted regulatory reforms in translating policy priorities into practical outcomes for businesses and investors.
Through its regulatory reform initiatives and coordination with federal and provincial stakeholders, the SIFC continues to support efforts to streamline business processes, address regulatory bottlenecks and strengthen Pakistan’s competitiveness as an investment destination.
Established as a mechanism for facilitating investment and improving coordination across government, the SIFC has a mandate covering areas including agriculture, infrastructure, minerals, information technology, telecommunications and energy. Its role includes facilitating and promoting investment opportunities in Pakistan.
In August, the government assigned the SIFC a leading role in accelerating regulatory reforms, including the review and simplification of outdated regulations, excessive paperwork and unnecessary licensing requirements. The initiative seeks to use the council’s cross-government coordination mechanism to overcome delays in implementing reforms.
The latest engagement with Punjab forms part of efforts to extend regulatory simplification across Pakistan and promote a more predictable environment for domestic and foreign investors.
