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Express Tribune
05-07-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Govt finalises industrial policy
The SAPM noted that the industrial sector's share in GDP has declined from 26% in 1996 to 18% in 2025. photo: file Listen to article The government on Friday finalised recommendations for a long-term industrial policy, proposing 10-year loans for industrial units with a two-year grace period. Several other measures have also been suggested to boost industrialisation. To support manufacturing, the policy proposes reducing corporate tax from 29% to 26% over three years. Amendments to the SECP Act, Anti-Money Laundering Act, and Income Tax Ordinance have also been recommended. A high-level meeting of the Prime Minister's Committee on Industrial Policy was held under the chairmanship of Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan. The meeting reviewed and finalised the recommendations of eight specialised sub-committees. These proposals mark the start of implementing the new industrial policy. The policy categorises borrowers into four groups for financing. According to State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) guidelines, the first group includes viable units with moderate repayment ability, and the second includes marginally viable ones needing external support. Interest rates will be adjusted based on the policy rate and revival potential. Loans may be extended for up to 10 years, with an optional two-year grace period. Early repayment will be allowed without penalty for back-ended projects. Fresh working capital of up to 20% of the restructured principal will also be provided. A haircut policy of up to 60% on the principal will be allowed under board-sanctioned approval. This amount may be recorded as a "shadow entry" for tracking but won't require provisioning or audit qualification. Remaining loan amounts will be listed as "Restructured but Active" in regulatory reports. Full and final settlements (FFS) will be allowed once, through lump sum or staggered payments over 12-24 months. Banks will record waived amounts separately for tax purposes under the Income Tax Ordinance. Loan write-offs will qualify for tax deduction under Section 29. Each restructuring case will report to a subcommittee of the bank's board. Government-owned banks must set annual targets for resolving non-performing loans. Incentives such as bonuses or board fees may be tied to target achievement. For governance and risk control, third-party due diligence will be mandatory for loans up to Rs100 million. Chartered accountancy firms or financial institutions will verify the due diligence. SBP will launch a portal displaying monthly sector and province-wise summaries. A whistle-blower channel will allow reports of misconduct or non-transparent dealings. Each revived unit will be monitored for at least two years, with quarterly reports submitted to the Ministry of Industries and Production (MoIP). Khan noted that the industrial sector's share in GDP has declined from 26% in 1996 to 18% in 2025. He stressed the urgency of reviving this sector, increasing exports, and developing import substitutes. Eight sub-committees were earlier formed to address key challenges. Their proposals include SBP guidelines for reviving sick industries and amending the Corporate Rehabilitation Act 2018. Banks have been asked to use forecasting tools to detect early signs of distress. To ensure fast execution, SAPM Khan formed 10 new sub-committees and asked them to deliver tangible outcomes within a week. He said the new policy could trigger an industrial revolution and confirmed the recommendations were presented to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who appreciated the efforts.
Business Recorder
28-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Overlaps, outdated practices: SAPM for reviewing regulatory frameworks of SBP, SECP and FBR
ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Industries and Production, Haroon Akhtar Khan, Friday stressed the need for reviewing the regulatory frameworks of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), and the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to identify overlaps and outdated practices in a bid to provide a business-friendly environment to local and internal investors. In a meeting with Scott Jacobs, managing director of JC&A, and the Board of Investment (BOI) reforms team, he said that to attract local and global investment further streamlining of the regulatory frameworks is a must, adding that the SBP, the SECP and the FBR must take necessary steps in this connection as early as possible. He said that reviewing and reforming the regulatory frameworks will become a key step towards improving Pakistan's investment climate and fostering inclusive economic growth. The session focused on reviewing the implementation progress of the 'Regulatory Reform Packages' initiated under the roadmap approved by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. During the meeting, the delegation provided a detailed briefing on ongoing reform initiatives, aimed at streamlining regulations and enhancing the ease of doing business in Pakistan. Key areas of discussion included the country's economic outlook, industrial policy, foreign exchange frameworks, regulatory challenges, and the SECP Act. Scott Jacobs lauded Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's vision for reform and praised the administration's efforts to strengthen Pakistan's economic infrastructure and investment environment. HaroonAkhtar Khan underscored the vital role of the private sector in driving economic growth and job creation. He emphasised that a coordinated approach involving industrial, regulatory, and tariff reforms could be transformative for Pakistan's economy. Calling for the removal of redundant regulations that hinder business operations, he reiterated that private sector engagement is essential to attracting foreign direct investment. He also acknowledged the BOI's significant progress in simplifying processes related to business registration, licensing, and permits. 'Unnecessary scrutiny should be avoided when investments are routed through proper foreign exchange channels,' Khan noted, pointing out that sufficient monitoring mechanisms already exist for countries outside the FATF list. He reaffirmed the finalisation of a five-year Industrial Policy aligned with the prime minister's vision, aimed at reducing the cost of production and protecting the industrial sector. Aligning Pakistan's regulatory environment with global standards, he said, is critical for enhancing competitiveness and ensuring long-term economic sustainability. The meeting concluded on a note of optimism, marking another milestone in Pakistan's ongoing efforts to create a more investor-friendly and efficient economic framework. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
16-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Cybersecurity alert issued amid rising geopolitical tensions
A man types on a computer keyboard in Warsaw in this illustration file picture. PHOTO: REUTERS/ File Listen to article The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has issued a cybersecurity advisory, urging all companies to immediately strengthen their cybersecurity measures in response to heightened geopolitical tensions and an increasingly complex threat landscape. The statement was issued at a time when security sources have revealed details of a major cyber counter-offensive by Pakistan—Operation Bunyanum Marsoos—launched in response to Indian aggression. The operation targeted key infrastructure sectors across India. The operation inflicted significant disruptions across multiple Indian domains, including power infrastructure and petroleum systems, while also causing severe damage to Indian communications by disabling official government emails and the OTP infrastructure. The advisory, published on the SECP website, has been issued under Section 40(B) of the SECP Act. It warned that failure to address emerging cyber risks could lead to operational disruptions, data breaches, financial losses, and reputational damage. Read more: Security sources reveal details of Pakistan's massive cyberattack against India The regulator outlined several immediate cybersecurity recommendations for companies, including the implementation of multi-factor authentication, restricted access controls, employee training on phishing and fake communications, and regular vulnerability assessments. Other key measures advised include maintaining offline data backups, updating antivirus and firewall protections, hardening devices and systems by patching known vulnerabilities, and forming internal incident response teams. While emphasizing coordination and incident preparedness, the SECP also advised companies to establish internal incident response teams, regularly consult national Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) advisories, and coordinate with relevant cybersecurity bodies for intelligence sharing and timely threat detection. 'Proactive cybersecurity steps are essential to safeguard Pakistan's financial and information infrastructure,' the Commission stated, urging firms to maintain close communication with the SECP on implementation progress.
