The National Assembly, chaired by Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, on Monday passed the “Asaan Karobar Bill 2025” with a majority vote, terming it a milestone step towards making Pakistan’s business environment easier and more investment-friendly.

The legislation seeks to streamline the complex and costly regulatory framework that has long burdened businesses. It recognises that starting and running a business in Pakistan currently requires multiple registrations, licences, and permits — processes that have become time-consuming and expensive.

According to the bill, new regulations were often added without impact assessments while outdated restrictions remained in force, raising the cost of doing business, wasting time, and creating uncertainty in the economy.

This, in turn, hampered investment, industrial growth, and exports.

The “Asaan Karobar Bill 2025” gives legal cover to recording and reviewing all government regulations to align with international best practices. It also empowers authorities to abolish unnecessary rules and automate essential processes.

A central feature of the law is the creation of a National One-Window Business Portal, which will act as a single platform for all registrations, licences, and certifications — aimed at minimising red tape and paperwork for entrepreneurs.

Lawmakers said the bill’s approval will encourage new investment, generate employment, and strengthen economic growth.

It is also expected to improve Pakistan’s global competitiveness ranking and bolster foreign investor confidence by creating a stable and predictable regulatory climate.