Resolution of issues: Business community calls for setting up of ‘united front’

ISLAMABAD: Business community leaders on Wednesday called for the establishment of a joint platform comprising representatives of all major chambers of commerce and industry to present a united front and effectively advocate the resolution of common business and industrial issues.

The idea was floated by the President of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), Talat Mehmood, while addressing a meeting hosted by the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI). He said that individual representation over the years failed to achieve desired results, whereas a united stance by major chambers would carry greater weight in resolving the business community’s issues.

The meeting was attended by ICCI former presidents, executive members, along with representatives of the trade and export sectors in large numbers.

Referring to Pakistan’s economic challenges, KCCI president observed that the country’s exports stood at approximately USD 30 billion while remittances were over USD41 billion and cautioned against excessive reliance on overseas remittances and urged the government to introduce policies and incentives that encourage overseas Pakistanis to invest in their home country and strengthen domestic economic activity.

He further proposed special facilitation for the business community including separate arrangements at airports for traders and investors and called for making digitization and institutional reforms instruments of facilitation rather than harassment.

Speaking on the occasion, ICCI President Mohammad Zikria Akbar Zia supported stronger coordination among major chambers and emphasized that collective efforts were essential to address common business challenges and strengthen Pakistan’s trade and industrial sectors.

He called for improved access to bank financing, better industrial infrastructure, reduced regulatory hurdles, and an end to unnecessary harassment of traders and industrialists. He stressed that the business community should be treated as a key partner in economic development.

President of the Khyber Chamber of Commerce and Industry Syed Jawad Kazmi highlighted the severe impact of the prolonged closure of the Torkham border on regional trade and industry by highlighting the rich export potential of the province.

Former President Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry Faiz Mohammad Faizi also underlined the need for strengthening cooperation among leading chambers for a coordinated approach towards resolving business community issues.

ICCI Founder Group Chairman Sheikh Tariq Sadiq highlighted the business community’s severe challenges, saying that a united voice of the business community is the need of the hour to make the power corridors pay heed to the issues and resolve them.

ICCI Senior Vice President Mohammad Ashfaq Hussain Chatha who moderated the session in the most effective manner, showcased the ICCI targets for the betterment of the business community. Executive member KCCI Syed Umairuddin Hussain also addressed the event.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026