ISLAMABAD: The Board of Investment (BoI) on Friday finalised a five-year regulatory governance strategy (2025-30) aimed at modernising Pakistan’s legal and regulatory framework, including the creation of a centralised National Business Registry.

The decision was taken at the third quarterly review of the BoI’s Regulatory Reform Package during a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Regulatory Reforms, chaired by Investment Minister Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh.

According to an official statement, the strategy seeks to improve the ease of doing business by reducing compliance costs, increasing transparency, and accelerating approval processes for businesses.

The plan includes the digitisation and simplification of procedures, such as online onboarding for low-risk firms and the introduction of an ‘Asaan Business Bank Account’ tailored for small and medium enterprises.

A key component of the reforms is the transition from fragmented district-level business registries to a centralised National Business Registry, to be maintained by the SECP.This shift will streamline registration, reduce duplication, and allow businesses to obtain nationwide legal recognition in fewer steps.

The package also proposes repealing the Partnership Act 1932 and introducing a new, risk-based security clearance framework for foreign investors.

Published in Dawn, September 27th, 2025