PM orders sweeping reforms, digitisation of NTC to boost trade, investment

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday directed sweeping reforms in the National Tariff Commission (NTC), saying that its efficient and transparent functioning was essential to boost industry, trade and investment in Pakistan.

Chairing a review meeting in Islamabad, the prime minister said institutional restructuring of the NTC must be followed by measures to ensure its effective performance in line with international standards.

He called for a comprehensive strategy to resolve legal and administrative issues facing the commission, linking reforms to broader economic goals, including industrial growth and increased foreign and domestic investment.

Sharif directed the authorities concerned to fully digitise all operational functions of the NTC to ensure transparency and improve service delivery. He said the commission should take steps to facilitate investors and industrialists by reducing legal and procedural complexities.

The prime minister also instructed that international best practices be studied and adopted to align the commission with global standards. He emphasised the use of modern technology, including information technology and artificial intelligence, to modernise the institution.

He said legal complexities in the NTC’s appellate tribunal should be streamlined to enhance efficiency, adding that delays in case processing would not be tolerated under any circumstances. A system must be put in place to ensure all cases are resolved within a fixed timeframe, he added.

Sharif further stressed the need for trained and skilled human resources, saying the commission’s workforce should meet international benchmarks. He also called for the engagement of experts to provide guidance on ongoing reform measures.

During the briefing, officials said work was underway on institutional, legal and administrative restructuring of the NTC in line with a roadmap approved by the prime minister.

The meeting was attended by Federal Minister for Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb, Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Climate Change Minister Musadik Malik, Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Khan Cheema, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Haroon Akhtar Khan, and senior government officials.