FPCCI says concerned at proposed amendments to TORs 2013

KARACHI: Saquib Fayyaz Magoon, Senior Vice President of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) and Chairman of BMP-Progressive (BMPP), has expressed serious concern over the bill tabled in the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Commerce seeking amendments to the Trade Organisation Rules (TORs) 2013.

He cautioned that any abrupt changes to the existing framework could result in the closure of numerous representative trade bodies across the country. Saquib Fayyaz Magoon stated that the proposed move has created uncertainty within the business community at a time when the economic environment is already under pressure due to domestic and external challenges.

“Chambers of Commerce and Industry are the principal platforms through which the business community collectively raises its concerns and contributes to policy advocacy,” he said.

He warned that restricting trade bodies to municipal city limits would exclude industrial estates, SME clusters in tehsils, and rural export-oriented businesses from proper representation.

Such amendments, he added, would dismantle district chambers, undermine years of institutional development, and adversely affect local economies—particularly women entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprises.

Saquib Fayyaz Magoon urged lawmakers to reconsider the proposed amendments and ensure the continuity of district chambers, which serve as the backbone of grassroots economic activity.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026