Islamabad:Despite political instability and economic crisis, the Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s Government has been able to implement over 120 + key reforms across multiple sectors since assuming office in March 2024, shaping the country’s governance, economic policies, legal frameworks, and institutional efficiencies, says the Pakistan Reforms Report 2025, Pakistan's First-Ever Governance Reforms Report released on Sunday.
Mishal Pakistan, the Country Partner Institute of the World Economic Forum’s New Economic and Societies Platform, launched the first-ever Pakistan Reforms Report 2025. The report is a first-of-its-kind initiative documenting over 120 key reforms undertaken by the Shahbaz Sharif Government since assuming office. Covering a comprehensive assessment period from January 2024 to the end of January 2025, the report provides a data-driven analysis of the government’s policy and governance transformations. The report provides an accurate and transparent account of policy transformations, allowing stakeholders—including policymakers, businesses, and international institutions—to engage with and evaluate Pakistan’s evolving governance landscape.
In governance and public sector, the current government eliminated 150,000 federal workforce positions to reduce expenditures whereas 33 per cent female representation mandated on government boards while a long list of economic and financial reforms were implemented in past 11 months with inflation reducing from 38 per cent in May 2023 to 4.1 per cent by December 2024, foreign exchange reserves increasing from $4.4 billion to $11.73 billion by the end of 2024 and GDP growth improving from 0.29% to 2.38% in the past year, projected to reach 3.5% in FY25.
In addition to that, the current government was able to maintain currency stability and prevented extreme fluctuations, trade deficit reduced from $27.47 billion to $17.54 billion in 12 months, defined contribution pension reform that expected to save Rs. 1.7 trillion over 10 years, restored investor confidence that encouraged local and foreign investment, averted a severe economic crisis through strategic intervention, through SIFC, expanded crackdown on illicit trade through targeted illegal activities under the Afghanistan Transit Trade Agreement (ATTA) and addressed the influx of untaxed, smuggled goods into Pakistan, the report states.
Under investment and industrial reforms, 34 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed with Saudi Arabia, worth $2.8 billion, SEZ expansion and industrial policy reforms expected to boost exports and attract FDI and business Facilitation Centers (BFCs) were formed to ease regulatory burdens. In security and immigration reforms, Visa Prior to Arrival (VPA) facility was granted to 120 countries with over 120,000 visas approved in 6 months, madrassas were asked to register within six months and are now required to submit financial audits annually to ensure transparency besides ensuring inclusion of modern education subjects alongside religious studies. Under these reforms, madrassas can register under either the Societies Act or the Ministry of Education.
In addition to that, National Forensics and Cybercrime Agency (NFCA) was created to tackle cyber threats, 1,600 Special Protection Unit (SPU) personnel deployed to safeguard non-CPEC projects, 100 surveillance cameras were installed under the Islamabad Safe City Project and 973 officers recruited for the new Anti-Riot Force.
In Digital Transformation and Cybersecurity, National Forensics and Cybercrime Agency (NFCA) was established, Digital Case Flow Management System was implemented in 178 federal courts, tracking 130,000 cases via SMS, AI-driven National Registration and Biometric Policy Framework was launched, new policies were introduced to protect users from data breaches and cyber threats. cyber laws were updated to align with global best practices and laws against false, misleading, and harmful digital content were strengthened.
For climate and Environmental Reforms, Pakistan Climate Change Authority (PCCA) was formed, 67.5 million trees were planted under the Green Pakistan Programme and National Policy Guidelines for Trading in Carbon Markets were established. In education and skills ddevelopment sector, 100 Early Childhood Education (ECE) Centers were established, National Digital Learning Platform was launched and AI and Robotics Labs were integrated into educational institutions.
For Infrastructure and Connectivity, Gwadar International Airport became fully operational, M-Tag electronic tolling and Axle Load Control Regime (ALCR) was implemented, rail connectivity projects were launched, including the Thar Rail Connectivity Project and Kohat-Thal-Kharlachi Rail Link was signed, making the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (UAP) transit trade framework aiming to enhance trade connectivity with Afghanistan and Uzbekistan.