Pakistan has assured the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that it will review and gradually remove more than 2,660 non-tariff barriers that discourage imports, sources said on Saturday.
According to officials familiar with the development, the commitment comes under the $7 billion bailout programme, with the government pledging to begin easing restrictions from June this year.
In the initial phase, relief is expected in restrictions on the import of mobile phones and automobiles, aimed at improving market supply and reducing procedural hurdles.
Sources said the government plans to lift restrictions imposed on 76 customs codes covering key sectors, including automobiles, pharmaceuticals, steel, food items, agricultural commodities, cosmetics and mobile phones.
The move is expected to facilitate imports of dairy products, textile raw materials, steel bars and medicines, easing supply-side pressures across multiple industries.
In the automobile sector, curbs on the import of completely built units (CBUs) and semi-knocked down (SKD) kits are likely to be relaxed. Similarly, the requirement of prior approval from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) for mobile phone imports may also be withdrawn.
Officials further indicated that in the agriculture sector, steps are being considered to ease imports of meat, milk, packaged food and edible oil. The textile industry is also expected to benefit from reduced barriers on the import of raw materials.
Sources added that the remaining non-tariff barriers will be removed in phases, with the overall reform process to be completed by the end of 2026. Progress will be reviewed and presented before the Cabinet Committee on Regulatory Reforms.