The Sindh government has launched a fully digital platform aimed at simplifying the process of obtaining business licences and registrations across the province. This initiative, introduced under the World Bank’s economic reform programme, eliminates manual paperwork and physical visits to government offices, paving the way for more efficient and transparent business operations. The digital platform allows businesses to apply for e-licences and e-permits through a single online portal, significantly reducing processing time and administrative barriers.
Under the Sindh Advanced Business Regulation Reform, the initiative operates as part of the Click Project, an undertaking by the Sindh Investment Department to improve the investment climate and overall service delivery in the province, including major urban and industrial centres such as Karachi. The first phase of the digital licensing and payment system has already been completed successfully. According to Investment Department Additional Secretary and Project Director Behzad Amir Memon, Sindh has earned Rs5 million in revenue through digital applications and online payments within less than three months of its implementation. He added that the three-phase project is expected to be completed by May 2026, at which point 19 provincial departments and their associated revenue streams will be fully digitalised.
Currently, nine departments have been brought online as part of the first phase, offering 32 categories of business certifications and licences. These include the School and College Education Department, Health Department, Sindh Healthcare Commission, Sindh Food Authority, Labour and Human Resources, Industries and Commerce, Sindh Environmental Protection Agency, and Sindh Small Industries Corporation. Businesses can now apply for a variety of approvals such as private school registration, food business licences, healthcare establishment licences, factory registration, and environmental management plan approvals through the same online portal.
Click Project’s Senior Automation Specialist Tahir Ali Khan shared that in just two and a half months, over 1,700 e-licences and e-certificates have been issued, generating more than Rs5 million in provincial revenue. He noted that the digital system integrates with NADRA, e-ECP, PMD, and 1Link, ensuring secure identity verification and streamlined online payments. This integration not only enhances security but also brings transparency to the entire process. The digitalisation initiative enables citizens and businesses to track the status of their applications online, removing the need for in-person follow-ups and long waiting times.
In the upcoming phases, additional institutions such as the Sindh Building Control Authority are expected to join the digital licensing framework. Officials have stated that the project aims to make business registration and compliance procedures faster, more accessible, and transparent. By introducing a “one-click” system, the government hopes to promote ease of doing business and attract more investment into Sindh’s growing industrial and service sectors. The move aligns with Pakistan’s broader digital governance goals, marking an important step towards transforming provincial administration through technology-driven solutions.
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