LAHORE: Punjab is accelerating regulatory and digital reforms to attract investment, expand exports and promote industrial growth, Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said, stressing the need to simplify business procedures and create more employment opportunities.
Speaking alongside Federal Minister Haroon Akhtar Khan, Aurangzeb said economic stability and a business-friendly environment remained priorities for the federal and provincial governments led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif.
She said Punjab had introduced several reforms over the past two years to reduce paperwork, simplify administrative procedures and improve access to government services. The measures aim to make official processes more transparent, efficient and accessible for investors and entrepreneurs.
Aurangzeb highlighted the e-Biz initiative, which is digitising business-related procedures and reducing administrative hurdles. The platform is intended to lower the cost of doing business and allow entrepreneurs to focus on expanding their operations instead of dealing with complex regulatory requirements.
She reiterated the provincial government’s commitment to preventing the exploitation of investors and business owners. She said Punjab was also working with the federal government to establish an integrated, one-window business facilitation system.
The proposed system will bring regulatory services together on a unified digital platform, reduce duplication between departments and make it easier for businesses to obtain approvals.
The provincial government is also pursuing reforms in industrial land leasing, commercialisation, access to finance, energy costs and technology infrastructure. According to Aurangzeb, improving access to industrial land and providing greater regulatory certainty could encourage new investment, support existing businesses and create jobs.
She also emphasised the importance of developing a skilled workforce to sustain industrial expansion and increase exports. Punjab is aligning technical training and professional certification with industry needs and international standards to help young people acquire skills relevant to the job market.
Aurangzeb cited the Maryam Ki Dastak programme as another part of the government’s digitalisation drive. The initiative enables citizens to access a range of public services at their doorsteps, reducing the need for repeated visits to government offices and saving time and money.
Federal Minister Haroon Akhtar Khan said the government was working to remove unnecessary regulations and overlapping requirements between federal and provincial authorities.
He added that around 170 amendments to the relevant company law had been proposed to simplify the regulatory framework and make it easier to establish and operate businesses in Pakistan.
Under the proposed system, entrepreneurs would be able to submit applications through a single digital portal, with regulatory approvals handled through a transparent, faceless process.
