Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reiterated the government’s commitment to achieving export-led economic growth and directed the National Tariff Commission to adopt modern technologies, including artificial intelligence, to improve services for investors and industrialists. Chairing a high-level review meeting on the national economy and implementation of the National Tariff Policy 2025-30, the prime minister emphasised that a transparent and efficient tariff regime is essential for promoting domestic industry, trade, and investment. The meeting was attended by senior cabinet members including Ishaq Dar and Muhammad Aurangzeb, along with other ministers and government officials.
Officials briefed participants on the National Tariff Policy 2025-30, under which tariffs across multiple sectors will be reduced gradually to support exports, improve competitiveness, and encourage industrial growth. As part of the policy, duties on reefer containers and semi-trailers will be abolished to strengthen Pakistan’s logistics sector. Customs duties on specialised machinery and vehicles used in construction will also be reduced to support infrastructure development and investment. In addition, the government plans to eliminate customs duties on raw materials used in the production of cancer medicines, a move aimed at supporting the pharmaceutical industry and improving access to healthcare-related products.
The decision to abolish duties on reefer containers and semi-trailers carries particular significance for Pakistan’s cold chain logistics network, which has historically struggled with high equipment costs that have limited investment in temperature-controlled transport infrastructure. Reefer containers are essential for moving perishable goods including agricultural produce, dairy products, and pharmaceuticals across long distances while maintaining quality, and their high cost under existing duty structures has been a recurring barrier for logistics companies seeking to modernise their fleets. Removing these duties removes a direct financial obstacle to the development of cold chain capacity that Pakistan’s food export ambitions depend on.
The prime minister stressed that adopting global best practices and using modern technologies such as artificial intelligence will help enhance the effectiveness of tariff administration and create a more business-friendly environment. The directive to integrate artificial intelligence into the National Tariff Commission’s operations reflects a broader government push to move regulatory and administrative bodies toward data-driven decision-making, reducing the scope for discretionary interpretations of tariff classifications and improving the speed and predictability of tariff-related processes for importers, exporters, and manufacturers. The National Tariff Policy 2025-30, with its combination of targeted duty reductions and technology-led administrative reform, represents a coordinated attempt to address both the cost and efficiency dimensions of Pakistan’s tariff environment simultaneously, with the ultimate goal of making the country a more attractive destination for manufacturing investment and a more competitive platform for export growth.
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