LAHORE, Oct 26 (APP):Adviser to the Prime Minister and Federal Minister for Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan on Monday said that the government was working to eliminate unnecessary regulations and simplify business procedures to make Pakistan a more business-friendly destination for domestic and foreign investors.
He said this while addressing a press conference with Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb here.
Haroon Akhtar Khan said the initiative had been launched on the special directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to coordinate efforts by the federal and provincial governments to simplify the regulatory framework and facilitate businesses. “Our first meeting was held in Punjab, after which we will visit Sindh and the remaining provinces as part of this initiative,” he said.
He noted that doing business in Pakistan had increasingly become difficult over the years, largely because of the growing number of regulatory bodies and the expansion of regulatory requirements.
“Our message to the general public, the business community and factory owners is that we have reviewed the performance of individual regulators, every regulation and all the forms involved in the process,” he said.
He added that unnecessary duplication in requirements for No Objection Certificates (NOCs), permits, licences and Statutory Regulatory Orders (SROs) would be eliminated.
“Any law or rule introduced 40, 50 or 60 years ago that is no longer necessary will be abolished,” he said, adding that the time required to complete formalities for establishing and operating a business would be significantly reduced.
He said that procedures that previously took years had, in some cases, been reduced to days.
The adviser said that while many regulations fell under the jurisdiction of the federal government, a considerable number were also imposed at the provincial level.
The initiative aimed to coordinate regulatory reforms and facilitate businesses across the country.
He said he had also met Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, who briefed the delegation on the initiatives being undertaken by the provincial government in this regard.
At the federal level, he said, the process had begun approximately a year and a half ago under the direct leadership and supervision of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Explaining the measures being taken, he said that even establishing and maintaining a company had become a cumbersome process because of numerous documentation requirements and procedural hurdles.
“We have introduced 170 amendments to the Companies Act and presented them to Parliament. The objective is to make Pakistan’s regulatory framework one of the easiest in the world,” he said.
He added that the government had studied regulatory models in countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada and compared them with Pakistan’s framework.
Once the proposed bill was passed, he said, establishing and operating a company in Pakistan would become considerably easier, bringing the country’s regulatory framework closer to those of nations with business-friendly systems.
Whether someone wanted to open a pharmacy, establish a factory or engage in imports, the relevant regulatory requirements had been reviewed, he added.
The adviser said the growing number of regulatory bodies and requirements had placed a heavy burden on the business community, making commercial and industrial activities increasingly difficult.
He emphasised that the federal and provincial governments were working together to address these challenges, adding that the visit to Punjab marked the first step in the coordinated initiative.
“We are not merely announcing the launch of this process. We have already completed approximately 60 to 70 percent of the work at the federal level,” he said.
He added that Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb would provide further details about the progress made by the provincial government.
The adviser said the initiative focused on resolving the problems faced by businesses and implementing measures to make the regulatory environment more efficient.
He explained that establishing a business often required approvals from federal authorities as well as clearances from provincial departments, making coordination between the two levels of government essential.
The government aimed to establish a system through which businesses could submit applications via a single portal, he said.
The proposed portal would identify the provincial laws and regulations applicable to a particular business and specify the approvals required from federal authorities. All relevant approvals would then be processed and granted through a fully digitalised and streamlined system.
He said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif had made considerable efforts in this regard, adding that Punjab had already made significant progress.
Referring to the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), he said it had been established in line with the vision of the prime minister and the field marshal to facilitate investment and business activities. The council was also playing an important role in making it easier to do business in Pakistan and coordinating regulatory reforms.
He said the government wanted domestic and foreign investors to establish businesses and factories in Pakistan while ensuring compliance with all legitimate and necessary regulations.
Regulations relating to building and fire safety, labour standards and environmental protection were essential and would remain in place, he said.
However, unnecessary regulations that served no useful purpose, duplicated existing requirements, caused delays or created opportunities for corruption were being eliminated, he added.
Describing his meeting with the Punjab chief minister as successful and productive, he said the government’s message was clear: businesses and factories would be allowed to operate in accordance with internationally recognised standards and legitimate regulatory requirements without facing unnecessary delays.
“We want people to come to Pakistan to do business. We want foreign investment to flow into the country and new factories to be established,” he said.
He added that new industrial units would generate employment opportunities for young people, promote industrial growth, create jobs, bring prosperity and boost exports.
“This is how we will move forward through a coordinated partnership,” he said.
Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said economic stability and a business-friendly environment remained key priorities of the governments of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif.
Over the past two years, Punjab had undertaken significant reforms to simplify business processes, eliminate unnecessary documentation and make government services more transparent, efficient and accessible.
She said the e-Biz initiative was transforming business facilitation by digitising procedures, reducing administrative hurdles and lowering the cost of doing business.
The government’s objective was to ensure that investors and entrepreneurs could focus on expanding businesses rather than navigating complicated regulatory processes.
She reiterated the policy of zero tolerance for the exploitation of investors and business owners. Highlighting Punjab’s commitment to digital governance, the Senior Minister said the provincial government was working with the federal government to establish an integrated one-window business facilitation system.
The initiative would streamline regulatory procedures, minimise duplication between departments and provide businesses with easier access to government services through a unified digital platform. She said industrial development was being supported through reforms in industrial land leasing, commercialisation, access to finance, energy costs and technology infrastructure.
Easier access to industrial land and a more predictable regulatory environment would encourage new industrial ventures, strengthen existing businesses and generate employment.
Marriyum Aurangzeb emphasised that a skilled workforce was essential for sustainable industrial and export growth.
Punjab was aligning technical training and professional certification with industry requirements and international standards to equip young people with market-relevant skills and improve their employment prospects. She also highlighted the Maryam Ki Dastak programme, under which hundreds of public services were being digitised and delivered to citizens at their doorsteps.
The initiative was reducing the need for repeated visits to government offices, saving time and costs, and improving transparency in public service delivery.
Marriyum Aurangzeb reaffirmed that Punjab would continue working closely with the federal government to strengthen investor confidence, reduce the cost of doing business, accelerate industrialisation and expand export opportunities. She said the government’s reform agenda was focused on delivering tangible outcomes: simpler regulations, transparent digital services, stronger private-sector investment, competitive industries and better employment opportunities for Pakistan’s youth.
Source: APP (Associated Press of Pakistan)
