DNA
Lahore: The All Pakistan Business Forum (APBF) has welcomed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s directive for the early implementation of the Ease of Doing Business Act, 2025, describing it as a timely and encouraging step towards improving Pakistan’s investment climate, reducing the cost of doing business and restoring investor confidence.
APBF President Syed Maaz Mahmood said the government’s commitment to simplifying business regulations, digitizing public services and reducing unnecessary compliance requirements reflects a positive policy direction. He observed that for years the business community has been advocating comprehensive structural reforms to eliminate bureaucratic hurdles, improve regulatory efficiency and create a more competitive business environment capable of attracting both domestic and foreign investment.
Syed Maaz Mahmood said the reported completion of hundreds of reform measures and the projected savings of nearly Rs469 billion for businesses demonstrate the enormous potential of regulatory simplification. He added that successful implementation of these reforms would help lower production costs, improve industrial productivity, enhance export competitiveness, generate employment and strengthen Pakistan’s standing as an attractive investment destination.
The APBF President appreciated the Prime Minister’s decision to independently evaluate the reforms through international organizations, stating that transparent monitoring and performance-based implementation would strengthen investor confidence and ensure accountability across government institutions.
APBF Chairman Ibrahim Qureshi said the success of the Ease of Doing Business Act will ultimately depend on its effective implementation at the federal, provincial and local levels. He stressed that all government departments must work in close coordination to ensure that businesses experience real improvements instead of procedural delays.
Ibrahim Qureshi said Pakistan’s private sector possesses tremendous potential to drive exports, industrial growth and employment, provided that businesses operate under a stable, transparent and predictable regulatory framework. He appreciated the government’s decision to introduce statutory timelines for official approvals and expand digital public services, saying these measures would significantly reduce unnecessary delays, discretionary practices and compliance costs.
The APBF leadership emphasized that regulatory reforms should be complemented by broader economic measures, including rationalization of the tax regime, affordable energy tariffs for industry, easier access to finance, policy continuity and accelerated digital transformation of public institutions. Such measures, they said, would substantially improve Pakistan’s global competitiveness and encourage long-term investment.
The APBF leaders also appreciated the contributions of the Ministry of Law and Justice, the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), the Board of Investment and other institutions involved in preparing the legislation. They reaffirmed APBF’s commitment to working closely with the government and all stakeholders to support policy reforms that promote ease of doing business, industrial expansion, export-led growth, investment and sustainable economic development.
