PM directs authorities for effective NTP 2025-30 implementation, modernize institutions to develop investment, trade

ISLAMABAD, Jun 04 (APP):Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday directed the authorities concerned to ensure the effective implementation of the National Tariff Policy (NTP) 2025-30 and modernize tariff-related institutions to facilitate investment, trade and industrial development.

Chairing a high-level review meeting on the overall growth of the economy and the implementation of the National Tariff Policy 2025-30, the prime minister said achieving export-oriented development targets remained the government’s foremost priority, a Prime Minister’s Office news release said.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized that an active and transparent National Tariff Commission was indispensable for promoting industry, trade and investment in the country. He instructed the commission to play a proactive role in facilitating investors and industrialists and called for institutional reforms based on international best practices.

Prime Minister Shehbaz also directed the commission to adopt modern technologies, including Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence, to improve efficiency, transparency and service delivery.

During the meeting, the officials briefed the prime minister on the implementation framework of the National Tariff Policy 2025-30. The briefing highlighted that tariffs across various sectors would be reduced gradually under the policy to support export-driven economic growth and enhance Pakistan’s competitiveness in international markets.

The officials informed the meeting that duties on reefer containers and semi-trailers would be abolished to promote the logistics sector and improve supply chain efficiency.

The meeting was also told that customs duties on specialized vehicles and machinery were being reduced to encourage growth in the construction sector.

In a major relief measure for the pharmaceutical industry, customs duties on key raw materials, particularly those used in the production of cancer medicines, would be eliminated to support local manufacturing and improve access to essential medicines.

The prime minister reiterated that tariff reforms and institutional modernization would play a key role in enhancing exports, attracting investment and sustaining long-term economic growth.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Climate Change Minister Musadik Malik, Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Khan Cheema, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, Minister of State for Finance and Railways Bilal Azhar Kayani, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Haroon Akhtar, and senior government officials.