KP simplifies 32 regulatory processes under ease of doing business drive

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has simplified 32 out of 176 regulatory processes under its Ease of Doing Business Policy, while work on the remaining reforms is underway, the chief minister was informed during a board meeting on Friday.

The update was shared at the 11th meeting of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Board of Investment and Trade (KPBOIT), held at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat. The board approved the budget for the current fiscal year, endorsed the formation of committees under the board, and authorised recruitment to fill vacant posts.

The meeting was told that cumulative investments of more than Rs457 billion have been attracted to the province since October 2022. Over the past three years, investors have availed import duty concessions exceeding Rs25 billion in various Special Economic Zones (SEZs).

Six major investment projects in SEZs, industry, minerals and tourism have been completed, while several others are at different stages of implementation.

Officials informed the board that an Ease of Doing Business Cell has been operational at KPBOIT since 2021. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ease of Doing Business Act 2025 has been enacted, and work on framing supporting rules is in progress.

An online Ease of Doing Business portal has been developed and successfully tested, and is expected to be formally launched soon. Twelve processes from the Industries Department, Food Department and the Culture and Tourism Authority have been integrated into the portal, with other departments to be added by June.

A mobile application, BizHub, has also been developed to facilitate small and medium enterprises. The board was further informed that multiple roadshows, seminars, expos and conferences have been organised to promote investment, along with engagements with 13 foreign delegations.

Addressing the meeting, the chief minister directed departments to ensure an effective one-window facilitation mechanism for investors. He said the government was taking steps to improve the business environment but noted that the law and order situation remained a key challenge for the province.