PM Shehbaz Sharif directs federal ministries and the SIFC to accelerate regulatory reforms, harmonize provincial business rules and complete the eBiz Punjab and BFC Islamabad integration by March 2027.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday directed federal ministries and relevant authorities to accelerate regulatory reforms, improve the ease of doing business and harmonize business regulations across Pakistan, setting a March 2027 deadline for integrating eBiz Punjab and the Business Facilitation Centre (BFC) Islamabad.
Chairing a meeting on regulatory reforms in Islamabad on Oct. 2, the prime minister called for coordinated measures to simplify regulations, promote investment and make the country’s regulatory framework more transparent and business-friendly, according to Prime Minister’s Office Press Release No. 393/2026.
Sharif said regulatory reforms were essential to facilitate business activities and attract domestic and foreign investment. He directed authorities to establish a regulatory registry to consolidate existing regulatory requirements, rules and procedures under a comprehensive system.
The prime minister also called for nationwide implementation of the Ease of Doing Business Act to improve consistency among provincial regulatory systems and provide businesses with uniform facilities. He directed authorities to arrange third-party validation of the reforms to assess their effectiveness and practical outcomes independently.
Referring to reforms at the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP), Sharif called for similar modernization across other regulatory institutions.
He directed the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) to increase awareness of its regulatory reforms among businesses and ensure that the private sector benefits from the facilities being introduced.
The prime minister also instructed the SIFC to send a delegation to all provinces to consult provincial governments and build coordination on regulatory reforms. Adviser to the Prime Minister on Industries Haroon Akhtar Khan was tasked with leading the delegation and ensuring effective engagement with provincial authorities.
Sharif further directed all ministries and divisions to implement reforms approved by the federal cabinet within the prescribed timelines. He instructed the SIFC and Punjab’s chief secretary to complete the integration of eBiz Punjab and BFC Islamabad by March 2027.
The prime minister emphasized that reforms must deliver tangible benefits to businesses rather than remain administrative measures. He called for active cooperation between the SIFC and the private sector to improve awareness and utilization of available business facilitation services.
557 reforms approved across seven sectors
The meeting was briefed on progress in implementing measures aimed at improving the business environment.
Officials informed participants that the Cabinet Committee on Regulatory Reforms had approved 557 reforms across seven multisectoral areas, with annual savings of Rs460 billion expected.
The meeting was briefed on progress in implementing measures aimed at improving the business environment.
Officials informed participants that the Cabinet Committee on Regulatory Reforms had approved 557 reforms across seven multisectoral areas, with annual savings of Rs460 billion expected.
The meeting was also told that the Business Facilitation Centre had begun processing 8,717 applications, of which 71% had been completed. Meanwhile, the Islamabad Business Facilitation Centre had provided facilities to 4,612 new businesses.
Officials said the Business Facilitation Centre was being modernized on the model of the Punjab government’s eBiz system. The Export Policy Order and Import Policy Order were also being simplified.
The SIFC was reported to be coordinating with all provinces, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan on regulatory reforms. Its work also includes policy governance and institutional reforms.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Law and Justice Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Climate Change Minister Musadik Malik, Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Khan Cheema, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, IT and Telecommunications Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Haroon Akhtar Khan, Minister of State for Finance and Railways Bilal Azhar Kayani, and senior government officials.
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