ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday ordered sweeping reforms at Pakistan’s National Tariff Commission, calling for full digitalization and institutional restructuring to improve its performance and support industry and investment.
The directive came during a meeting to review ongoing reform measures at the commission, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.
The National Tariff Commission is Pakistan’s trade defense body responsible for investigating unfair trade practices, such as dumping and subsidized imports, and for recommending duties to protect local industry.
Its efficiency is key to ensuring a level playing field for domestic manufacturers and maintaining investor confidence.
“The effective performance of the National Tariff Commission after its institutional reorganization is essential for increasing domestic industry and investment,” Sharif said during the meeting, according to the statement.
“The commission should adopt innovation through the use of information technology, artificial intelligence and other modern methods,” he added.
The prime minister directed his team to review “global best practices” to ensure that the commission’s restructuring and performance align with international standards.
“Delays in cases at the National Tariff Commission are not acceptable under any circumstances,” he continued, instructing authorities to develop a system to ensure all cases are decided within a stipulated timeframe.
Sharif added the commission must facilitate investors and industrialists by taking “special measures to protect them from legal and other complexities.”
Officials told the meeting that work was already underway on institutional, legal and administrative restructuring under a roadmap approved by the government.
The meeting was also attended by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar and other senior officials.
