Key economic ministries and regulators have been directed to address regulatory bottlenecks affecting businesses after trade bodies raised concerns during an interactive session held under the platform of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC).
The direction was issued during a meeting chaired by Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani, who engaged with leading representatives of Pakistan’s business community to discuss challenges impacting the ease of doing business. Participants highlighted that regulatory processes and inter-agency coordination continue to pose significant hurdles for businesses across multiple sectors.
The session was attended by representatives of major trade and industry bodies, including the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA), the Pakistan Business Council (PBC), and the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI). Chambers of commerce from Karachi, Lahore, Faisalabad, Quetta, Sarhad, Rawalpindi and Sialkot were also represented, reflecting broad-based participation from across the country, according to an official press release.
Senior officials from SIFC, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), and the ministries of commerce, industries, petroleum and power were present at the meeting, underlining the cross-government nature of the engagement.
During the discussion, participants outlined key constraints and policy issues that continue to affect business operations and investment decisions. These included regulatory delays, compliance complexities and coordination gaps between federal institutions. The business community emphasized that addressing these issues is critical for supporting economic growth, attracting investment and improving Pakistan’s competitiveness.
Minister Bilal Azhar Kayani reviewed the progress on decisions taken during the previous meeting with business representatives and acknowledged steps already initiated by relevant ministries and departments. He noted that while progress had been made on some fronts, further action was required to resolve outstanding issues and newly raised concerns.
The meeting concluded with agreement on additional actions for unresolved matters, as well as follow-up mechanisms for new issues highlighted by the business community. Officials were directed to work closely with relevant stakeholders to ensure timely resolution of regulatory bottlenecks and improve coordination among institutions.
Business representatives stressed the importance of sustained dialogue between the government and the private sector, noting that regular engagement is essential for advancing reforms and improving the overall business environment. They also acknowledged the role of SIFC in facilitating coordination across ministries and providing a platform for structured engagement with policymakers.
The minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to maintaining regular interaction with the business community through the SIFC platform, stating that continued collaboration would remain central to efforts aimed at improving the ease of doing business and supporting economic activity in the country.
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