Asaan Karobar Act, 2025

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THE ASAAN KAROBAR ACT, 2025 
 
 
 
1. Short title, extent and commencement 
2. Definitions 
3. Application of the Act 
4. Certain provisions not to apply 
5. Asaan Karobar Technical Unit 
6. Functions and powers of the Asaan Karobar Technical Unit 
7. Establishment of Pakistan Regulatory Registry 
8. Parameters for review of laws and RLCOs 
9. Entering laws and RLCOs on the Registry 
10. Public comments 
11. Review by Government Agencies 
12. Review by the Asaan Karobar Technical Unit 
13. Decision by Cabinet 
14. Repeal and amendment of laws and RLCOs 
15. Phases of Regulatory Reform 
16. Pakistan Business Portal 
17. Source of funds 
18. Budget and accounts 
19. Assistance 
20. Prohibition of publication or disclosure of information to unauthorized persons 
21. Schedule 
 
 

 
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22. Indemnity 
23. Power to make rules 
24. Power to make regulations 
25. Removal of difficulties 
SCHEDULE 
 
  
 
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THE ASAAN KAROBAR ACT, 2025 
ACT NO. XXXVIII OF 2025 
[25th November, 2025] 
An Act to provide for reforms of the regulatory regime applicable to business, trade and investment 
by removing cumbersome and complex regulatory requirements and to establish the Pakistan 
Regulatory Registry and the Pakistan Business Portal. 
WHEREAS, it is expedient to provide for a legal framework for a modern, simple and 
transparent regulatory regime and eliminate cumbersome procedures and requirements; 
AND WHEREAS, it is expedient to comply with international obligations in respect of 
regulatory reforms; 
AND WHEREAS, it is expedient to establish the Pakistan Regulatory Registry and the Pakistan 
Business Portal and to provide for matters connected therewith and incidental thereto; 
It is hereby enacted as follows:__ 
1. Short title, extent  and commencement.__(1) This Act shall be called the  Asaan Karobar 
Act, 2025. 
(2) It shall extend to the whole of Pakistan. 
(3) It shall come into force at once, 
2. Definitions.__ In this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context, __ 
(a)  “BOI” means the Board of Investment established under the Board of Investme nt 
Ordinance, 2001 (XV of 2001); 
(b)  “burden” means any or all of the following:__ 
(i)  financial costs, including compliance, time, and administrative costs; or 
(ii)  requirements, processes and procedures determined through the final decision 
of the Cabinet under section 13,  as causing administrative inconvenience, 
uncertainty, delays and adve rsely affecting consumer choice,  efficiency, 
productivity and profitability. 
(c)  “business” includes any lawful enterprise, trade, whether or  not incorporated or 
registered; 
(d)  “Cabinet Committee ” means the Cabinet Committee on Regulatory Reforms 
(CCoRR) constituted by the Prime Minister through Notification No. F.5/24/2024 -
Com. dated the 18th September, 2024 or any other cabinet committee designated by the 
Prime Minister to perform functions under this Act; 
 
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(e)  “electronic document”  includes documents, records, information. communication, 
payments, or transactions in electronic form; 
(f)  “Government Agency” means__ 
(i)  a ministry, division, department, or sub -ordinate offi ce of the Federal 
Government: 
(ii)  an authority, agency, undertaking, business, or other entity or body established 
by or under a Federal statute or controlled directly or indirectly by the Federal 
Government; and 
(iii)  an authority, agency, undertaking, business or other entity or body that is subject 
to Federal law or operates in Federal territory; 
that is or may be charged with the function of administering or enforcing any laws, or 
issuing, administering or enforcing RLCO. 
(g) “Portal” means the Pakistan Business Portal established under section16; 
(h)  “prescribed” means prescribed by rules or regulations, as the case may be, made under 
this Act; 
(i)  “Registry” means the Pakistan Regulatory Registry established under section 7; 
(j)  “Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) Tool and Guidelines” or “RIA” means the 
evidence-based approach approved by the BOI to critically assess policy options and 
the consequences of Government Agency’s actions to support policy decisions; 
(k)  “Regulatory Management System” or “RMS” means the set of policies, procedures, 
processes, IT systems, and tools employed to pursue and maintain good  quality 
regulatory and other policy functions of Government Agencies; 
(1)  “RLCO” means any rules, licenses, circulars, orders, regulations, SROs, by -laws, 
notifications, certificates, office memoranda, permits , instructions, forms, 
authorizations, directives, resolution or other instruments made, issued or enforced by 
a Government Agency with regulatory effect and functions, and includes such other 
instruments as may be notified by the Federal Government; 
(m)  “Schedule” means Schedule to this Act; 
(n)  “Secretary” means the Secretary of the Board of Investment; 
(o)  “System” means an electronic system for creating, generating,  sending, receiving, 
storing, reproducing, displaying, recording or processing information; and 
(p)  “Unit” means the Asaan Karobar Technical Unit established under section 5. 
 
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3. Application of the Act .__Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law, the 
provisions of this Act shall apply in relation to the matters contained herein, including, but not limited 
to, the powers and functions of the BOI, Government Agencies, and the Cabinet Committee. 
4. Certain provisions not to apply .__The provisions of this Act relating to  regulatory reform 
shall not apply to__ 
(a) offices, bodies, or institutions, created or existing by or under the Constitution of the 
Islamic Republic of Pakistan 1973; 
(b) the Supreme Court of Pakistan, the High Courts, the Federal Shariat Court and all other 
courts created by the Constitution or the law; 
(c)  criminal law, criminal procedure, the police and other law enforcement agencies, not 
including procedural and regulatory matters relating thereto; 
(d)  imposition and collection of taxes not including procedural and regu latory matters 
relating thereto; 
(e) foreign relations and foreign policy, not including procedural matters or matters relating 
to the regulation of trade; 
(f) national security, strategic installations and matters pertaining to the armed forces, and 
the defence of Pakistan; and 
(g)  any other entity or subject included in the Schedule. 
5. Asaan Karobar Technical Unit.__(1) Not later than thirty days from the coming into force 
of this Act, the Secretary shall establish the Asaan Karobar Technical Unit. 
(2) Head of t he Unit to be appointed by the Government shall be a grade -20 officer of the 
Federal Government or a person from private sector having relevant qualifications as ma y be 
prescribed under the rules. 
(3) For the performance of the f unctions of the Unit, Head of the Unit may wit h the approval 
of the Federal Government, appoint such persons including technical experts as may be required from 
amongst the officers of Federal Government or Private Sector on such terms and conditions as may be 
prescribed. 
6. Functions and powers of the Asaan Karobar Technical Unit.__(1) Subject to sub-section 
(2), the Unit shall__ 
(a)  oversee and monitor the process of regulatory reform under this Act; 
(b)  establish and maintain an online Registry to catalogue, describe, and map relevant laws 
and RLCOs; 
 
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(c)  review proposals for legislation relat ing to regulation of matters aff ecting business, 
trade and investment and to propose changes thereto prior to their b eing placed before 
the Cabinet; 
(d)  review proposals for issuance of or amendments to RL COs and propose changes 
thereto; 
(e)  co-ordinate with Government Agencies and Provincial Governments for uniformity and 
harmonization of laws and policies having impact on matters affecting business, trade 
and investment throughout Pakistan; 
(f)  require Government Agencies, to enter on the Registry, all laws and RLCOs pertaining 
to them that are in force , with such description as may b e consistent with guidelines 
issued by it in this regard, and within such period as it may stipulate; 
(g)  require Government Agen cies to review existing laws and RL COs and to propose 
retention, amendment or repeal thereof in order that they may b e consistent with the 
parameters stated in section 8; 
(h)  review proposals received from Government Agencies and the gener al public, as th e 
case may be, for retention, amendment or repeal of laws and RLCOs; 
(i)  prescribe co des, principles, guidelines and standards for strengthening regulatory 
governance to be adhered to by Government Agencies during the process of regulatory 
reform under this Act; 
(j)  prescribe the manner in which new laws and RLCOs may be entered on the Registry; 
(k)  conduct or commission studies, inter alia, for identification of investment constraints 
for small and medium enterprises and women entrepreneurs and to take such steps as 
are necessary to eliminate such identified constraints through the process of regulatory 
reform under this Act; 
(1)  issue clarifications, notifications, instructions, guidelines. SOPs and other instruments 
for carrying out the objects of this Act; 
(m)  undertake awareness campaigns, market regulatory reforms initiatives, and collaborate 
with stakeholders, Government Agencies, ci vil society, academia experts, donor 
agencies, development partners, at both national and international level for 
identification and implementation of regulatory reform process; 
(n)  conduct training and capacity building exercises for Government Agencies for the 
purposes of their functions under this Act; and 
(o)  perform any other functions assigned to it by the Cabinet Committee or the Federal 
Government and to take such steps as are necessary or ancillary to the performance of 
functions under this Act. 
 
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(2) The functions and powers of the Unit shall be performed and exercised by the Head of the 
Unit who may, subject to such conditions and limitations as he may determine, delegate the same to 
persons appointed under sub-section (3) of section 5 and may also constitute committees from amongst 
such persons for the said purpose. 
7. Establishment of Pakistan Regulatory Registry.__(1) The Unit shall establish and maintain 
an electronic registry to be known as the Pakistan Regulatory Registry for catalo guing and mapping 
of laws and RLCOs. 
(2) The Unit may procure requisite software, hardware, systems, codes, data, infrastructure or 
other material to effectively manage and operate the Registry and for its future expans ion and such 
software, hardware,  systems, codes , data, infrastructure or other material shall, at all times , be 
accessible to and remain the property of the Unit. 
8. Parameters for review of laws and RLCOs.__(1) The review of laws and RLCOs shall be 
carried out in order to determine:__ 
(a)  whether the laws and RLCOs are necessary and consistent with the objects of this Act 
as well as regulators ’ codes, internationally recognize d regulatory quality principles, 
RIA, RMS, smart regulations, risk-based regulations, Pakistan regulators principles and 
code of practice and guidelines issued by the Unit; 
(b)  the expected burdens on businesses for compliance with the laws and RLCOs; 
(c)  whether a law or RLCO is to be retained with or without amendment or repealed. 
(2) The Unit may issue a check list or other in structions to be followed for the purpo se of the 
review of laws and RLCOs in terms of sub-section (1). 
9. Entering laws and RLCOs on the Registry .__(1) The Unit shall direct  Government 
Agencies to make available o n the Registry, all laws and RL CO applicable to or being administered 
by them as well as any other information specified by the Unit within such time as it may determine. 
(2) Every Government Agency shall nominate a representative to co-ordinate with the Unit for 
the purpose of ensuring compliance with sub-section (1) and with other provisions of this Act. 
(3) The head of each Government Agency, by whatever name called, shall transmit to the Unit 
a certificate on the schedule set by the Unit to the effect that sub-section (1) stands complied with. 
(4) Upon the transmission of the certificate  referred to in sub-section (3), the RLCOs entered 
on the Registry by a Government Agency shall he deemed to be the only RLCOs in force and all other 
RLCOs pertaining to such Government Agency shall cease to be effective. 
10. Public comments.__The laws and RLCOs entered on the Registry shall be made accessible 
to the public for a period of not less than thirty days, inviting comments in the manner specified on the 
Registry, and public awareness in this regard shall be ensured by publicity through electronic, digital 
and print media. 
 
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11. Review by Government Agencies.__On expiry of the period referred to in section 10, and 
within such t ime as the Unit may determine, ea ch Government Age ncy shall review  the laws and 
RLCOs relating to it in terms of the parameters stated in section 8 and submit to the Unit, proposals 
regarding retention, with or without amendment, or repeal of such laws and RLCOs. 
12. Review by the Asaan Karobar Technical Unit .__(1) The Unit shall review the laws, 
RLCOs, and proposals entered or submitted under sections 9, 10 and 11 and make a determinatio n as 
to retention of a law or RLCO without change, amendment or repeal. 
(2) The laws and RLCOs approved by the Unit to be retained shall continue to be in force. 
(3) The laws and RL COs approved by the Unit for amendment or repeal shall be transmitted 
by the Head of the Unit to the Secretary for submission to the Cabinet Committee. 
13. Decision by Cabinet.__(1) The proposals relating to laws and RLCOs shall be considered 
by the Cabinet Committee. 
(2) A Minister-in-charge in respect of whose ministry or division reform has been proposed by 
the Unit and who holds a position opposed to such reform or any part thereof shall be invited to justify 
his position before the Cabinet Committee. 
(3) The Cabinet Committee shall consider the proposed reform and the opposition by a 
Minister-in-charge, if any, and proceed to take a decision in such terms as it may deem fit and transmit 
the same to the Cabinet for ratification. 
14. Repeal and amendment of laws and RLCOs. __(1) The proposals for  amendment to or 
repeal of laws ratified by the Cabinet under sub -section (3) of section 13 shall be transmitted to the 
Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) for legislation. 
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law, amendments to or repeal of R LCOs 
as ratified by the Cabinet under sub -section (3) of section 13 shall he notified in the offici al Gazette 
and shall come into force upon such notification. 
15. Phases of Regulatory Reform.__(1) The process of regulatory reform under sections 9, 10, 
11, 12, 13 and 14 may be carried out in phases, and proposals for amendment or repeal made by the 
Unit under sub-section (3) of section 12 may be submitted to the Cabinet Committee separately or in 
the form of a single summary. 
(2) The Unit shall ensure that all laws and RLCOs in force appear on the Registry and that the 
Registry is kept updated and accessible to the  general public until such time that its control is 
transferred under sub-section (3). 
(3) The control and ma nagement of the Registry shall b e transferred to such M inistry or 
Division of the Federal G overnment as and when the Uni t may specify, whereafter such Ministry or 
Division sh all ensure that, within such time as may be s pecified by the Federal Government,  the 
Registry becomes a complete and updated code of all laws and RLCOs in force in Pakistan. 
(4) The Federal Government may determine the date, after which, a Government Agency shall 
submit to the Unit in continuum, proposals for amendment to or promulgation of a new law or RLCO 
 
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for its review in terms of the parameters stated in section 8 before being submitted to the Cabinet or to 
the authority competent to issue, amend or rescind the same. 
16. Pakistan Business Portal.__(1) Not later than two years from the coming into force of this 
Act, the Federal Government shall, by notification in the Official Gazette, establish an online portal to 
be known as the Pakistan Business Portal to be operated and maintained by the BOI. 
(2) The Portal shall provide a one window facility for access to information regarding 
regulatory requirements and shall also facilitate compliance with the said requiremen ts and matters 
ancillary thereto. 
(3) Without prejudice to the generality of the preceding sub-section, the Portal shall:__ 
(a)  provide nece ssary facilities to enable subm ission and processing of applications  or 
documents for registrations, licenses, certificates, permits, approvals and permissions; 
(b)  provide mechanisms for online payment of fees, duties, levies, taxes and other charges 
and issuance of receipts thereof; 
(c) issue online registrations, licenses, certificates, permits, approvals and permissions; and 
(d)  provide any other service ancillary to the above or that may be prescribed. 
(4) The Portal shall be the country’ s only one window facility and all other such facilities, 
however established, shall be integrated with the Port al within a period to be not ified by the Federal 
Government: 
Provided that a one window created by a Province may be integrated with the Portal subject to 
the concurrence of the concerned Provincial Government. 
(5) Any electronic exchange of information, d eclaration, document or record, transaction, 
accounts, offer or acceptance of an offer, notice , order, payment, authentication, author ization or 
information required,  delivered or provided, by any person, or by an authorized officer of a 
Government Agency, organization or department shall be deemed to have been required, delivered or 
provided, in accordance with law when communicated electronically through the Portal or its allied 
systems and shall be admis sible as evidence in any court, tribunal, judicial or quasi-judicial body or 
commission of inquiry. 
(6) The Federal Government may prescribe the mode and manner in which a Government 
Agency may require documents, records or transmissions from the Portal for any purpose including 
audit, and be allowed access to its premises, computer system or any other systems where data may be 
stored, recorded or retained. 
(7) Any law requiring documents to be created, retained, notarized, duplicated, submitted, 
delivered, authenticated, authorized, transmitted, received, stored, processed, approved or evidenced 
shall be deemed to have been complied with if such documents are available and retrievable in 
electronic form from the Portal. 
 
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(8) The provisions of the Electronic T ransactions Ordinance, 2002 (L I of 2002) and the 
Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016 (XL  of 2016), to the extent not inconsistent with the 
provisions of this Act, shall, mutatis muta ndis, apply to ele ctronic submission of documents,  data 
retention or storage , copyrights, legal rec ognition and presumption, certification, notarization, 
registration, offences and other matters, in as much as they relate to the object of, and operations under 
this Act. 
(9) An authorization or approval required to be given or issued under any law in respect to any 
matter to which this Act relates, when issued electronically through the Portal, shall be deemed to have 
been lawfully issued. 
(10) All Government Agencies shall work in aid of the BOI for the purposes of establishing 
the Portal and its functioning. 
(11) The BOI shall prescribe fees and charges for services provided through the Portal. 
17. Source of funds.__(1) The Federal Government shall provide financial resources and funds 
for carrying out the purposes of this Act including the establishment , functioning, and expansion of 
the Unit, Registry and the Portal. 
(2) The BOI and the Unit may also apply for and arrange funds for carrying out the purposes 
of this Act through the following sources: 
(a)  grants and borrowing of money; 
(b)  sums or property which may become payable to or vest in them in respect of any matter 
incidental to the exercise of their powers and the performance of their functions; 
(c)  income generated from levy of fees and service charges under this Act; 
(d)  income generated from investments, sale of products and services; and 
(e)  any other source, approved by the Federal Government. 
18. Budget and accounts .__(1) In respect of each financial year, by such date as may be 
specified by the Finance Division, the BOI and the Un it shall submit, through the said Division,  for 
approval of the Federal Government, a statement showing their estimated receipts and expenditure, 
respectively, and the sums that are likely to be required from the Federal Government during the next 
financial year, and the accounts of the BOI and the Unit shall be kept in such form and in accordance 
with such principles and methods as may be determined by the Auditor-General of Pakistan. 
(2) Subject to th e Public Fina nce Management Act,  2019, the BOI and the Unit may open 
accounts with the State Bank of Pakistan or with any sch eduled bank in Pakistan for carrying out the 
purposes of this Act. 
(3) Audit of all accounts under this Act shall be conducted at the close of e ach financial year 
by the Auditor-General of Pakistan. 
 
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19. Assistance.__ All Government Agencies shall provide aid and assistance to the BOI and the 
Unit for achieving the objects of this Act. 
20. Prohibition of publication or disclosure of information to unauthorized persons.__(1) 
No person shall, without the consent of the Secretary or other  than in the course of their duties under 
this Act,  publish or disclose to an unauthorized person, the contents of any document or 
communication or any other informati on that relates to any matter under this Act whether or not t he 
same has come to that person’s knowledge in the course of his duties under this Act. 
(2) Any person who contravenes the provisions of sub -section (1) shall be liable to pay fine, 
not exceeding three hundred thousand Rupees and such other penalties as may be prescribed, including 
termination of appointment. 
21. Schedule .__(1) There shall be a schedule to this Act containing a list of Government 
Agencies, other entities and subjects exempted from  the provisions of this Act relating to regulatory 
reform under section 4. 
(2) The Federal Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, amend the Schedule 
by adding, omitting, amending or substituting entries thereof. 
22. Indemnity.__No suit, prosecution or other legal proceedings shall lie against any person for 
anything done or intended to be done in his official capacity and in good faith under this Act or the 
rules, notifications, instructions or directions made or issued thereunder. 
23. Power to make rules .__The Federal Government may, by notification in the official 
Gazette, make rules for carrying out the purposes of this Act. 
24. Power to  make regulations.__Subject to the provisions of this A ct and the Rules made 
hereunder, the Secretary may, by notification in the Official Gazette, make regulations for performance 
of functions by the Unit under this Act. 
25. Removal of difficulties .__If a difficulty arises in giving ef fect to a provision of this Act,  
the Federal Government may, within two years of the commencement of this Act, make such order as 
is not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act and as it considers necessary for removal of the 
difficulty. 
SCHEDULE 
[see sections 4(g) and 21(1&2)] 
EXEMPTIONS 
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RGN Date: 12-12-2025