ISLAMABAD (special crosspondent) – Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Friday directed the relevant authorities to expedite the implementation of government policy measures aimed at improving the ease of doing business, while stressing the need for the effective enforcement of the Ease of Doing Business Act 2025. Chairing a high-level review meeting on national economic reforms, the Prime Minister emphasized that Pakistan’s vast potential for local and foreign investment must be fully realized, describing the promotion of investment as one of the administration’s foremost priorities.

Independent Validation of Reforms

The Prime Minister instructed the relevant authorities to seek independent third-party validation from internationally recognized institutions to assess the true effectiveness and implementation status of the government’s reform agenda. He further requested that a comprehensive report regarding the progress of these policy measures be submitted for his review at the earliest possible date. This initiative follows other major diplomatic and economic developments, such as the Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar Concludes Official Visit to Shanghai, which highlight the country’s ongoing efforts to engage with global economic partners.

Commitment to Regulatory Improvement

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif commended the collective efforts of the Ministry of Law and Justice, the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), the Board of Investment (BOI), the Ministry of Commerce, and the Ministry of Industries and Production for their contributions toward creating a more business-friendly environment. During the session, officials briefed the leadership on the progress made under the current reform agenda. It was reported that work has been finalized on 558 regulatory and procedural reforms designed to streamline operations by reducing unnecessary paperwork and approval requirements. Of these, 71 policy measures are already operational, with 272 additional reforms currently in rapid development. These measures, being rolled out in seven distinct phases, are projected to generate annual savings of approximately Rs468.7 billion for the business community by curbing excessive compliance costs.

Economic Impact and Performance Metrics

Officials stated that removing complex administrative bottlenecks is critical to increasing national exports, attracting higher levels of foreign direct investment (FDI), and fostering employment opportunities nationwide. The government’s focus on modernization echoes other recent technological and industrial advancements, such as the period when Pakistan Joins Founding Members of WAICO at Shanghai AI Conference. Looking ahead, the Prime Minister directed that the progress of these reforms and the subsequent creation of jobs be treated as key performance indicators (KPIs) for evaluating the effectiveness of government officials. This aligns with a broader strategy of economic institutional support, much like the commitment shown during instances where Pakistan Receives First-Ever RoRo Shipment of Electric Vehicles at Karachi. The meeting included Federal Ministers Azam Nazeer Tarar, Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, Jam Kamal Khan, Ahad Khan Cheema, Syed Mustafa Kamal, Minister of State Bilal Azhar Kayani, Adviser to the Prime Minister Muhammad Ali, Special Assistant Haroon Akhtar, and Attorney General Mansoor Awan, alongside the Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan Jameel Ahmad and provincial representatives.