The government of Pakistan is actively preparing to launch an innovative initiative aimed at modernizing regulatory frameworks and creating a more business-friendly environment.
This initiative aligns with the World Bank’s Digital Economy Enhancement Program (DEEP) and involves establishing the Pakistan Business Portal (PBP), a pivotal platform that will revolutionize interactions between businesses and government entities at all levels—federal, provincial, and municipal.
According to sources, the Pakistan Business Portal will serve as the cornerstone of the DEEP initiative, with the primary goal of streamlining regulatory processes and improving the ease of doing business in the country. In addition, by simplifying and digitizing compliance procedures, the portal is poised to accelerate the national digital transformation and stimulate economic growth.
The initial phase of the project will entail a thorough review and mapping of registrations, certificates, licenses, and other regulatory requirements across approximately 800 government agencies. This meticulous process will lay the foundation for identifying areas needing improvement and implementing reforms to enhance Pakistan’s business environment.
The Ministry of IT and Telecom will establish an interim Project Management Unit to oversee the development and execution of the DEEP program. Simultaneously, this temporary unit will be responsible for supervising the DEEP project, ensuring its smooth implementation, and adhering to established timelines and objectives.
With the approval of a financing package of $149.7 million by the World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors, the DEEP project underscores the international community’s commitment to Pakistan’s digital transformation agenda. Furthermore, the government will allocate a significant portion of this funding to establish the Pakistan Business Portal, positioning itself to leverage digital platforms for expanding service access and enhancing efficiency in the business sector.
Beyond regulatory modernization, the DEEP initiative aims to introduce innovative solutions, such as the Civic Innovation and Technology Labs (CITL) initiative. Moreover, this initiative will utilize open government data to foster innovation and entrepreneurship, further contributing to Pakistan’s digital evolution.
