Islamabad, July 30, 2025 – The Ministry of Commerce has formed three dedicated working groups tasked with drafting a comprehensive roadmap for increasing manufacturing exports. These working groups will assess key challenges related to duties, taxation, and financing—factors that significantly impact the cost and competitiveness of exports.
Working Group No. 1: Duty Drawback of Local Taxes and Levy (DLTL)
Convener:
• Naeem Akhtar Sheikh
Members:
• Representative, Ministry of Commerce
• Joint Secretary, Corporate Finance, Finance Division
• Secretary, Inland Revenue Operations, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR)
• Jawed Bilwani, President, Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI)
• Mubashar Butt, CEO, Bodymedia International
• Shahid Sattar, Executive Director, All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA)
• CEO, Pakistan Textile Council
• Saud Bangash, Director, Pakistan Business Council
This working group will compile data on local taxes and levies that are not being refunded by federal and provincial governments. The group will then formulate a practical strategy to compensate exporters for these costs. The Ministry of Commerce will provide secretarial support to this group.
Working Group No. 2: Taxation
Convener:
• Abid Shaban
Members:
• Representative, Ministry of Commerce
• Dr. Khurram Tariq, CEO, Key and Emma
• Khurram Mukhtar, CEO, Sadaqat Textile Mills
• Mubashar Butt, CEO, Bodymedia International
• Saud Bangash, Director, Pakistan Business Council
• Secretary, Inland Revenue Operations, FBR
• Secretary, Customs Operations, FBR
• Representative, Finance Division
This working group will analyze the current taxation framework impacting exports, including double taxation, and benchmark Pakistan’s policies against those of competing economies. FBR will extend secretarial support.
Working Group No. 3: Export Financing Scheme
Convener:
• Najam-ul-Saqib, State Bank of Pakistan (SBP)
Members:
• Representative, Ministry of Commerce
• Representative, EXIM Bank
• Khurram Mukhtar, CEO, Sadaqat Textile Mills
• Mubashar Butt, CEO, Bodymedia International
• Sohail Sheikh, CEO, Limton International
• Saud Bangash, Director, Pakistan Business Council
• Mir Najih, Pakistan Banking Association (PBA)
This working group will explore the reasons behind the under-utilization of the Export Financing Scheme administered by EXIM Bank. It will propose reforms to improve access and usability for exporters. The SBP will act as the secretariat for this group.
All three working groups are expected to submit their detailed recommendations to the Ministry of Commerce by August 6, 2025, with the aim of streamlining policies and incentivizing exports.