Government Says 60–70% of Business Regulatory Review Is Complete

The government says it has completed about 60 to 70 percent of a broad review of laws and regulations affecting businesses, while proposals to remove unnecessary or duplicative rules are still being assessed.

Adviser to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan gave the update at a press conference in Islamabad on Friday. He said proposals submitted by institutions recommend eliminating an average of 70 to 75 percent of regulations considered unnecessary or duplicative. That figure describes a proposed reduction, not the share of reforms already completed.

Khan also said the federal cabinet had approved 170 proposed amendments to the Companies Act, 2017, and that the bill had been sent to Parliament. The amendments are intended to make company registration and operations easier, but they are not yet enacted.

Regulatory reviews are under way in sectors including dairy, maritime affairs, beverages, oil refining, pharmaceuticals and restaurants. The government is also developing the proposed Asaan Karobar Act and plans an integrated digital portal through which businesses could contact relevant authorities and submit applications.

Another area under review is the inspection system. The adviser said businesses can face overlapping checks by departments responsible for labour, environmental protection, fire safety, buildings and boilers. Proposed changes aim to improve coordination and transparency while retaining necessary safeguards.

The reform programme will require coordination with provincial and regional administrations, including Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The government says its wider goals are to simplify procedures, reduce compliance costs and encourage investment. The reported completion figure refers to progress on the review; it does not mean that all proposed changes are in force.