Karachi: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Dr. Ahsan Iqbal, met with senior leadership of the Pakistan Business Council (PBC) in Karachi to discuss regulatory challenges, investment opportunities, and strategies to enhance economic efficiency through public-private collaboration.

Dr. Ahsan Iqbal emphasized the need for improved policy implementation and reducing operational hurdles. He highlighted that minor regulatory discrepancies are causing shipment delays and announced the formation of a working group with private sector stakeholders to address these issues.

Members of the PBC engaged in open dialogue, sharing insights from various sectors. Azam Faruque noted the success of deregulated crops but expressed concerns about high electricity costs affecting competitiveness.

Muhammad Arif Habib highlighted the potential of public land assets and the blue economy, stressing the importance of public-private partnerships. He also commented on the favorable terms of CPEC investments, noting a lack of public awareness.

Danish Lakhani pointed out challenges in the IT sector, including tax discrepancies between registered companies and freelancers, and difficulties in making large international payments.

Ziad Bashir expressed concerns over bureaucratic hurdles, noting a disconnect between ministerial vision and bureaucratic execution. In response, Dr. Iqbal outlined plans for civil service reforms aimed at simplifying processes and speeding up decision-making.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to ongoing dialogue, building institutional trust, and working collectively towards economic modernization and efficiency.