PM says investment promotion top priority, calls for easing regulations

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday said boosting investment remained the government’s top priority to drive economic growth.

He urged the authorities concerned to further simplify regulations and expand digitisation of business services.

Chairing a review meeting on investment promotion, Sharif directed officials to ensure maximum facilitation for both local and foreign investors, particularly to support export growth.

“Investment promotion is essential for economic development, and all necessary facilities must be provided to investors,” the prime minister said, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.

He called for making regulatory compliance easier and less costly, strengthening coordination between the government and investors, and accelerating the digitisation of licensing and other public services.

Sharif said that the establishment of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) had improved investor confidence in the country.

اسلام آباد : 28 اپریل، 2026.

وزیراعظم محمد شہباز شریف نے ملک میں سرمایہ کاری کے فروغ پر جائزہ اجلاس کی صدارت کی.

اجلاس سے گفتگو کرتے ہوئے وزیرِ اعظم نے کہا کہ ملک میں اقتصادی ترقی کیلئے سرمایہ کاری کا فروغ حکومت کی اولین ترجیح ہے. برآمدات بڑھانے کے لیے ملکی اور غیر ملکی… pic.twitter.com/Xs056GEb3T

— Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) April 28, 2026

Officials briefed the meeting on ongoing reforms and investment-related initiatives.

They said the share of special economic zones (SEZs) in exports stood at 3.7 per cent during July–March of the current fiscal year, with a target to raise it to 8 per cent by fiscal year 2028.

The government is also preparing a business-ready action plan in consultation with provinces to promote investment, the briefing said.

Participants were told that efforts were underway to digitise all approvals and services for investors and businesses, including the establishment of a Pakistan Regulatory Registry to streamline permissions.

At present, 21 special economic zones are operational in the country, with the number expected to rise to 26 by June 2026.

The meeting was attended by Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Khan Cheema, IT Minister Shaza Fatima, State Minister for Finance and Railways Bilal Azhar Kayani, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Haroon Akhtar, and senior government officials.