Pakistan to launch e-payment system soon

Punjab finance minister says 97% work to setup e payment systems has been completed

LAHORE: Pakistan would soon initiate an e-payment system as almost 97% work in that regard had been completed, announced Punjab Finance Minister Dr Ayesha Ghaus Pasha.

Speaking at the ‘Doing Business Reforms Exhibition’, organised by the Punjab Planning Department in collaboration with the World Bank on Monday, she said, “All provinces are on board and we are very close to fulfilling this long overdue demand of our business community.”



Pasha said the private sector had played a huge role in contributing positively to the economy, adding the government was committed to increasing transparency and efficiency in administrative procedures. “This will create an enabling environment for private-sector development and lift investors’ confidence.”



According to the provincial finance minister, the agenda for achieving the goal of ease of doing business is to simplify procedures, cut down on costs and reduce time for starting and conducting business in Punjab.

“These initiatives will encourage investors to establish their business units, thus allowing the domestic industry to flourish, which will generate economic activities and eventually lead to export-led growth of the economy,” she said.

“Competitive business environment will foster investments, which will in turn create quality jobs, thereby elevating the socio-economic status of the public.”



Speaking on the occasion, World Bank Country Director for Pakistan Patchamuthu Illangovan said the work Pakistan in particular and Punjab in general had done over the past one decade was impressive, however, “this year we will see results.”

“We have to wait till September for fresh rankings on the ease of doing business, currently Pakistan stands at 147th position and the work it has done in this regard should be reflected in upcoming rankings,” he said.

Illangovan added that all 190 countries were competing with each other for the Ease of Doing Business index so Pakistan had to continue to take measures to make it an investor-friendly country.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 27^th, 2018.

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