On Friday, the federal government cleared roughly 170 amendments to the Companies Act 2017 during a news conference, with the proposed bill already sent to Parliament to make running a business simpler, cut compliance expenses and boost ease of operations in Pakistan.

Haroon Akhtar Khan, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production, stated that convoluted rules and duplicated demands previously kept overseas capital away and created operational hurdles, noting that the administration wants to streamline processes, cut extra barriers and update corporate rules.

Unnecessary Business Regulations Targeted

Khan explained that authorities are reviewing sectors like dairy, maritime, beverages, oil refining, pharmaceuticals and restaurants to find outdated mandates and clean up processes.

The administration used regulatory frameworks from Delaware in the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada as models for these changes, according to Khan.

He noted that roughly 60 to 70 percent of the total overhaul work is finished, and suggestions from various groups advise cutting 70 to 75 percent of redundant or duplicate rules on average.

Single-Window Portal

Authorities are developing the proposed Asaan Karobar Act to ease compliance steps and build a steadier corporate climate.

Proposed measures feature a unified digital portal where companies can file documents and link with provincial governments and regulators via one hub, cutting down trips to multiple offices.

Khan mentioned that officials are examining industrial check procedures, where companies often face visits from various agencies handling labor, environmental protection, fire safety, buildings and boilers, with the new plan meant to cut duplicate checks while keeping vital oversight.

Reforms to Extend Across Provinces

The adviser stated that federal officials are coordinating with provincial governments, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir to harmonize corporate rules nationwide.

An international consultant who has worked on regulatory overhauls in 135 countries was hired to help with the initiative, he added.

Authorities state these updates are meant to decrease business expenses, draw local and international money, boost industrial expansion and build jobs.