By Digital Spartans 
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered the immediate abolition of the export development surcharge applied to domestic exports, marking a major policy step aimed at boosting Pakistan’s trade competitiveness. The directive was issued during a high-level review meeting in Islamabad, where the prime minister evaluated the recommendations of the sub-working group formed to enhance the country’s export performance.
During the meeting, the prime minister stressed that Pakistan’s export sector needs strong, targeted reforms to achieve sustainable economic growth. He instructed authorities to urgently review and restructure the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan, noting that the organisation must be realigned with modern trade requirements and global best practices.
A key directive issued by the prime minister was a comprehensive third-party audit of the Export Development Fund for the past five years. He said the audit must follow international standards to ensure transparency and identify gaps in fund utilization. Shehbaz Sharif also called for immediate reforms within the EDF, emphasizing that the fund should exclusively support export enhancement, research and development, workforce training, and the provision of modern trade-support facilities.
The prime minister further directed that a qualified chairman from the private sector be appointed to oversee the Export Development Fund. He added that all schemes and programmes under the EDF should undergo external audits to ensure accountability and efficient use of resources.
Shehbaz Sharif highlighted that supporting exporters remains a top priority for the government. He noted that global visibility of Pakistani products and stronger trade facilitation frameworks are essential for securing a larger footprint in foreign markets. He also made it clear that misuse or misallocation of export-related funds would not be tolerated under any circumstances.
The sub-working group presented its complete set of recommendations on enhancing exports. The prime minister appreciated their work and instructed relevant ministries to adopt reforms without delay, particularly those aligned with the government’s strategic goals for trade expansion.
The meeting was attended by federal ministers, senior officials and members of the Special Investment Facilitation Council, including Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Commerce Minister Jam Kamal, and Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani.
With the removal of the export development surcharge and renewed focus on institutional reforms, the federal government aims to create a more efficient, competitive and growth-oriented export ecosystem.