EOBI Launches an Online System for Feedback and to Counter Unauthorized Inspections

Control Unauthorized Inspections and Establish a System for Feedback by Businesses   Reform ID  F102  Reform Description  Before: The businesses were experiencing unauthorized inspections by the inspectors of EOBI, which often lead to corrupt practices and misuse of authority.      After: With the feedback mechanism in place now the businesses can register their feedback about the conduct of the inspections.   Sector  All Sectors  Beneficiaries  All Businesses   Jurisdiction/ Location  Federal (Entire Pakistan)  Department  Employees Old-Age Benefit Institution (EOBI)  Date of Implementation    Timeline  Last 03 Months   Details  Difficulty  Inspectors from various departments were undertaking unauthorized visits to factories/ premises and there was no feedback mechanism to monitor cases of highhandedness and misuse of authority.   Analysis  In line with the best practices and smart regulations it was realized that the regulators should introduce an online mechanism for feedback from the businesses.   Solution  An online portal for getting feedback from the businesses has been launched. Now, the businesses can share their feedback with the concerned department(s) online about the conduct of the inspections etc.   Evidence  Online Feedback Portal    

Simplified Registration of Low Risk Medical Devices 

Simplification of Registration  Process for Low risk Medical Devices  Reform ID  F101  Reform Description  Before: The registration process of the Low Risk Medical Devices was cumbersome and registration process for all the medical devices was same.   After: With the risk categories of medical devices in place the registration process for Low Risk Medical devices has been simplified.   Sector  Healthcare Sector   Beneficiaries  All Healthcare Businesses   Jurisdiction/ Location  Federal (Entire Pakistan)  Department  PSQCA, DRAP  Date of Implementation  Last 03 Months   Timeline  06-11-2021  Details  Difficulty  Healthcare businesses complained that the registration process of Low Risk Medical Devices is overly regulated and getting a simple device like a Tongue Suppresser (a medical device by definition) which carries no risk becomes a tiresome job owing to the associated formalities of registration.   Analysis  It was realized that the registration process of the Low Risk Medical devices is heavily regulated which need to be eased to facilitate the businesses and ensure the provision of medical devices in the domestic market.   Solution  Now, the registration of Low Risk…

Simplified Approval of Resolution of a Company

Amendments in Companies Act to Simplify Approval of Resolution through Circulation Reform ID F100 Reform Description Before: As per the Companies Act, a resolution shall not be deemed to have been passed, unless the resolution has been circulated, together with the necessary papers, if any, to all the directors  After:  Now, a resolution can be passed by a majority of the directors.    Sector   All Sectors   Beneficiaries All Businesses  Jurisdiction/Location  Federal (Entire Pakistan)  Department Security and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP)  Date of Implementation 17-11-2021 Timeline Last 03 Months  Details  Difficulty In order to get a resolution passed from the director it was required by law (section 179 of Companies Act) to circulate the resolution along with necessary papers to all the directors. This process of circulation to all director consumed a lot of time and companies could not get their resolution approved promptly specially in case of absence of any director.   Analysis It was felt that to remove this condition and resolution may be approved through a majority of the directors instead of all the directors.    Solution The Companies Act 2017 has been amended (section 179) and it now allows companies to get the resolution approved through majority of directors instead of first circulating to all the directors along with necessary documents.   Evidence Companies Act 2017    Amendment  

New Corporate Bank Account Opening Made Easy

Cumbersome New Account Opening Procedure for Company Account has been Rationalized  Reform ID  F098  Reform Description  Before: The bank account opening process involved manual verification from Security and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) which used to take 30-40 days. This procedural bottleneck delayed the bank account opening for the corporate consumers and legal persons such as companies registered with SECP.   After: Now, on the filling of request for Corporate Account opening, any commercial bank can obtain the requisite verification from SECP through SECP’s Virtual Portal which is integration with all the commercial banks.   Sector  All Sectors  Beneficiaries  All Businesses  Jurisdiction/ Location  Federal (Entire Pakistan)  Department  State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), Security and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP)  Date of Implementation  30-11-2021  Timeline  Last 03 Months  Details  Difficulty  In order to open a corporate bank account the commercial banks were required to get the documents verified from SECP. However, without any online system for information exchange between the SECP and commercial banks the manual process of verification took almost 30-40 which hindered the business operation and caused unwarranted delay.   Analysis  After learning the administrative and legal requirements it was realized that this delay can be addressed by means of electronic data exchange between SECP and commercial banks.   Solution  Accordingly, SECP has introduced an online portal through which the commercial banks can get the documents verified in real time thus cutting the time required significantly.   Evidence   …

Commercial Courts for Speedy Disposal of Commercial Cases established in Balochistan

Commercial Courts Established in Balochistan for Expeditious Disposal of Commercial Cases  Reform ID  B093  Reform Description  Before: Businesses suffer as commercial Cases were taking much time for resolving a business dispute, because of a huge litigation burden, causing delay and resulting in loss of confidence by businesses on the system.  After:  Now, legislative changes enabling establishment of Commercial Courts have…

Minimum Export Price Condition for export of Surgical Instruments has been repealed

Repealing of SRO for fixation of Minimum Export Price for Surgical Instruments  Reform ID  F097  Reform Description  Before: The manufacturers of surgical items could not export goods below the price fixed by the Ministry of Commerce even if it was financially feasible.   After: This restriction has been eliminated and exporters of surgical instruments can sell goods in…

Validity of Fisheries License extended from 1 to 3 years in Sindh

Increase in the Validity Period of Fisheries License from 1-3 years     Reform ID  S096  Reform Description  Before:  The validity period of fisheries license under the Fisheries Rules, 1983 was 01 financial year (July-June).   After: Now, the validity period of fisheries license has been increased from 01 year to 03 years.   Sector  Fisheries License Holder/Fisherman   Beneficiaries  All Fisheries…

Validity Period of License for Auto Workshops Increased from 01 to 03 Years in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Enhancement of Validity Period of License for Auto Workshops  to 3 Years  Reform ID  K095  Reform Description  Before: The validity period of license granted to auto workshops was just 01 year and the owners have to get it renewed every year.   After: Now, the validity period of the auto workshop license has been extended to 03 years instead of 01 year bringing ease to those businesses.   Sector  Transport…

No more declaring Smaller Establishments as Factories

Elimination of Regulations for Declaring Smaller Establishments as Factories (section 5 of Factories Act)  Reform ID  K094  Reform Description  Before: Section 05 of Factories Act authorized government to apply the provisions of Factories Act to smaller establishments with five or more employees.   After: Through an amendment, section 05 of factories has been deleted, thus smaller establishments can no more be regulated under the…

Commercial Courts for Speedy Disposal of Commercial Cases established in Balochistan

Commercial Courts Established in Balochistan for Expeditious Disposal of Commercial Cases  Reform ID  B093  Reform Description  Before: Businesses suffer as commercial Cases were taking much time for resolving a business dispute, because of a huge litigation burden, causing delay and resulting in loss of confidence by businesses on the system.  After:  Now, legislative changes enabling establishment of Commercial Courts have…