Maaz says ‘One-Stop’ business hub a breakthrough but needs effective execution
KARACHI, AUG 24 /DNA/ – The All Pakistan Business Forum (APBF) has welcomed the government’s launch of the country’s first-ever Business Facilitation Centre (BFC), describing it as a positive step towards reducing bureaucratic hurdles and restoring investor confidence. At the same time, the Forum urged policymakers to go beyond symbolic measures and work in continuous consultation with the business community to ensure lasting improvements in the investment climate.
APBF President Syed Maaz Mahmood, in a statement, said that the BFC represented a long-awaited initiative to centralise services for entrepreneurs and foreign investors who have long struggled with Pakistan’s complex regulatory system.
He pointed out that while the Islamabad BFC is a pilot project, the government must ensure early expansion to other major cities including Lahore, Karachi, and Faisalabad, which are the true hubs of commerce and industry.
He said that creating a one-stop hub for business registration, licensing, and compliance was indeed a breakthrough, but warned that the success of such centres depends on effective implementation and monitoring.
“The Business Facilitation Centre is a welcome step in the right direction. For decades, investors have faced unnecessary red tape that wasted time, raised costs, and discouraged new ventures. Now, if managed efficiently, this initiative can become a real game-changer,” he said. However, he cautioned that the danger of turning it into “just another government office” must be avoided at all costs.
Maaz Mahmood also highlighted the need for user-friendly digital platforms that allow real-time tracking of applications, transparent timelines, and accountability of officials. “Businessmen need certainty, speed, and simplicity. If an investor applies for a license or special economic zone status, he should know exactly how long it will take, who is responsible, and what documents are missing. Without these checks, the entire system risks falling into the same bureaucratic traps of the past,” he added.
APBF Chairman Ibrahim Qureshi, while praising the government’s intention, said that the private sector must be taken into confidence at every stage of policy design and execution. “No reform in the investment environment can succeed unless businessmen are consulted. We understand the ground realities, the day-to-day challenges, and the operational bottlenecks that investors face. The government should form joint working groups with private stakeholders to ensure that the facilitation centres function smoothly and actually deliver results,” he said.
Ibrahim Qureshi stressed the need for reducing overlapping regulations between federal and provincial departments, a major source of confusion and delays for investors.
He agreed that while initiatives like the BFC indicate the government’s seriousness in improving the business climate, much more is required to truly make Pakistan an attractive destination for investment. They called for comprehensive reforms in taxation, customs, trade facilitation, and contract enforcement to complement the new facilitation centres.
“Pakistan has enormous potential to attract foreign direct investment, but investors want predictability and fair play. We must address loopholes in the regulatory regime, end arbitrary decision-making, and introduce a service-oriented mindset in public offices,” Mahmood noted.
The APBF leader praised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the Board of Investment for their efforts, but reiterated that successful economic reforms cannot be designed in isolation. “Government alone cannot deliver results. It is a partnership between state institutions and the business community. If this partnership is strengthened, we can not only achieve investor confidence but also boost exports, generate employment, and drive GDP growth,” Ibrahim Qureshi added.
Maaz urged the government to treat the launch of the Business Facilitation Centre as the beginning of a wider reform journey rather than its conclusion. “This is a positive development, but it must evolve with feedback, consultation, and continuous improvement. Only then will Pakistan’s investment landscape truly transform,” the statement said.
