BFC Islamabad facilitates Rs6.6bn investment, 20,000 jobs in first year

August 24, 2026 (MLN): The Business Facilitation Centre (BFC) Islamabad facilitated investment exceeding Rs6.6 billion and supported more than 20,000 employment opportunities during its first year of operations, showing progress in streamlining services for businesses and investors.

From August 20, 2025 to August 20, 2026, the BFC received a total of 7,709 applications from businesses and investors, while 6,896 registrations, licenses, certificates and other permits were issued.

During the period, 4,920 applications were processed within the stipulated timeframe, while another 2,050 applications were processed beyond the stipulated timeframe. Expert guidance and consultation were also provided in 845 cases, according to APP.

More than 4,100 new businesses were facilitated through the BFC during the year, while total footfall at the Centre reached 8,554 individuals.

The highest monthly number of applications stood at 1,288 in December 2025, followed by 1,264 in January 2026 and 859 in July 2026.

The performance was reviewed during Federal Minister for Board of Investment Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh’s visit to BFC Islamabad, where he received a detailed briefing on the Centre’s one-year performance, services provided to businesses and investors, application processing and plans to expand facilitation services.

The minister termed the establishment of the BFC an important step toward providing businesses and investors with easy, fast and integrated services under one roof.

He said the government is taking practical measures to promote investment, improve the business environment and strengthen the economy under the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif.

Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh said the core objective of the BFC is to promote business activity and investment while facilitating employment creation.

He added that the Centre provides businesses and investors with essential information, guidance and relevant services through a single platform, reducing the need to repeatedly visit different government offices.

He said improving the Ease of Doing Business remains a key government priority to enable local and foreign investors to start businesses, invest and expand their activities in Pakistan with greater ease.

The federal minister said the Board of Investment is also undertaking comprehensive regulatory reforms aimed at eliminating unnecessary procedures, paperwork, delays and institutional barriers faced by the business community.

He added that investment promotion, business facilitation and regulatory reforms are closely interconnected, and the Board of Investment is working in a coordinated manner across these areas to provide maximum facilitation to businesses and investors.

Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh said the ongoing regulatory reforms aim to make access to government services easier, more transparent and faster, adding that the reform process would be further advanced to create a more conducive environment for business and investment.

The minister termed the first-year performance of BFC Islamabad encouraging, while stressing that greater progress is expected in the coming years. He said the government would continue measures to make business and investment facilitation more effective and further simplify procedures.

During the visit, Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh also inspected desks of various ministries and relevant government departments established at the BFC.

He reviewed the services being provided and mechanisms for facilitating businesses and investors, interacted with officers and directed them to ensure effective and timely facilitation.

Certificates of Appreciation were also distributed among officers and staff in recognition of their contribution to the successful completion of the BFC’s first year.

The minister appreciated the services of the BFC team and said the hard work and professional performance of its officers and staff had contributed to the Centre’s achievements.

To mark completion of the first year, Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh also participated in a cake-cutting ceremony with officers and staff, reaffirming the commitment to further strengthen and improve the business facilitation system.

The Board of Investment remains committed to promoting investment, facilitating businesses, advancing regulatory reforms and creating a conducive business environment in Pakistan.

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