Pak secures additional rice exports to Malaysia

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday said the export of an additional 70,000 metric tons of Pakistani rice to Malaysia would prove to be a significant step for the national economy besides ensuring the prosperity of farmers. He said enhancing access to global markets for Pakistani agricultural products was the government's top priority. "We will continue our journey toward the goal of export-led economic growth through sustained hard work," he said in a statement. PM Sharif lauded the relevant ministries and authorities for their concerted efforts, which had successfully secured an additional export volume of 70,000 metric tons of Pakistani rice to Malaysia for the period spanning October to December 2026. Business community Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a meeting regarding regulatory reforms and to review the measures taken to facilitate business activities, promote investment and make the regulatory system more effective, transparent and business-friendly. The Prime Minister said that regulatory reforms are indispensable for facilitating business activities and promoting investment. "The government is taking effective steps to facilitate the business community and eliminate unnecessary regulations," he said adding, Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has been modernized through reforms and reforms should be brought in other regulatory institutions in the same manner. The Prime Minister directed that a regulatory registry be established so that all the regulatory requirements and rules and regulations existing in the country could be compiled under a comprehensive system. He said, "The Ease of Doing Business Act should be implemented across the country so that there is harmony in the regulatory system in all provinces and business people are provided equal facilities." He ordered that third-party validation of these reforms should also be conducted to assess their impact and effectiveness so that the practical results of the reforms could be impartially assessed. The Prime Minister emphasized that the reforms should result in tangible benefits for businesses and directed SIFC to actively collaborate with the private sector and ensure that the facilities provided are effectively communicated and utilized. The meeting was briefed on government initiatives for ease of doing business. The meeting was further informed that the Business Facilitation Center was being modernized on the lines of the Punjab government's E-BIZ. Export Policy Order and Import Policy Order are being simplified. SIFC is in touch with all provinces, including Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, regarding regulatory reforms. Railway track repairs Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed the Ministry of Railways to take effective measures to improve passenger facilities and ensure the safety of people travelling by train. The prime minister issued these directives during a meeting with Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi, who briefed him on matters concerning the ministry and ongoing development projects. The prime minister stressed the need for practical steps to ensure the timely repair and maintenance of railway tracks, emphasizing that the safety of passengers must remain a priority.