Islamabad, August 21, 2025: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday inaugurated Pakistan’s first-ever Business Facilitation Center (BFC) in Islamabad, calling it a major step toward promoting ease of doing business and attracting investment through a one-stop solution for investors and entrepreneurs.
Established by the Board of Investment (BOI), the BFC is designed to streamline regulatory procedures by providing guidance on business registration, licensing, permits, and applications for special economic zones. The center aims to minimize bureaucratic hurdles, cut down processing timelines, and ensure seamless interaction between businesses and government departments.
After unveiling the plaque, the prime minister inspected various service desks and was briefed on the center’s functioning, including the new digital system enabling investors to submit applications, track progress, and receive real-time updates on any deficiencies in their submissions.
Expressing appreciation for the BOI team, PM Shehbaz stressed that the success of the center depends on efficient service delivery. “This must not remain just brick and mortar. Customers should be welcomed with a smiling face and genuine support, without delays, not even for a second,” he said, urging officials to establish the center as a model that could be replicated nationwide.
BOI Minister Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh hailed the BFC as a “breakthrough in investment facilitation,” saying it will eliminate the hassle of investors having to visit multiple departments and significantly reduce processing timelines.
The prime minister also underscored the need to project the BFC internationally, branding it as an attractive platform for foreign investors. “If successful, we will replicate this model across the country,” he said.
Federal Ministers Attaullah Tarar, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Ahad Cheema, Dr Musadik Malik, senior government officials, and representatives of the business community attended the inauguration ceremony.
