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ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday approved the Special Economic Zones (Amendment) Bill 2026, representing an important step forward in strengthening the country’s economic and investment policy framework.

The legislation received official assent from President Asif Ali Zardari on the advice of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Before the bill’s approval, the federal government had withdrawn the Special Economic Zones Amendment Ordinance 2026.

Both houses of Parliament have approved amendments to the Special Economic Zones Act, 2012, aimed at strengthening Pakistan’s fiscal framework, promoting economic growth, and attracting foreign investment.

The law will encourage the development of special economic zones by offering incentives, establishing an investor-friendly framework, and providing an expeditious dispute resolution mechanism.

According to law, “the federal and provincial governments shall ensure, at government expense in the case of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) established on public land or by public sector entities, the provision of road access, all utilities including electricity, gas, telecommunication services, and other essential facilities up to the designated zero point within one year of the notification of the SEZ. The Board of Investment (BOA) may, on a case-by-case basis, also allow such provision at government expense for SEZs established by private parties, as per criteria approved by it.”