75 years of leadership, service, commitment: Message from MAJYD AZIZ, President Employers’ Federation of Pakistan

It is a singular honor for me to be the helmsman of the Employers Federation of Pakistan ship during a momentous time when, for the first time in76 years, a Director General of ILO visited Karachi. Mr Gilbert F Houngbo, Director General of ILO, is visiting Karachi to join us in celebrating the EFP Platinum Jubilee Celebrations.

I am also pleased that Ms Sonya Janahi from Bahrain, who is Vice President of IOE, is celebrating the Platinum Jubilee with us here as Guest of Honor. EFP is the only genuine private sector organization whose slogan is to Promote, Protect, and Project the interests of Pakistan’s private sector.

The vision of the Founders, led by the iconic entrepreneur Syed Wajid Ali, resulted in membership of International Organization of Employers and by virtue of this distinguished membership, EFP was recognized and accepted as the Employer constituent of ILO.

During the nearly eight decades, EFP played a prominent role in lobbying and advocating issues related to Human Resource Development, Social Dialogue, ILO International Labor and Environment Standards, authoring the first ever Sindh Labor Policy, pioneering the formation of Skill Development Council, Workers Employers Bilateral Council of Pakistan, Pakistan Business Disability Network, EFP Economic Council, and sponsoring the (UN) Global Compact Network Pakistan. EFP is a member of South Asian Forum of Employers as well as Confederation of Asia Pacific Employers. EFP has the distinct honor that the first-ever elected Presidents of both these organizations were EFP Presidents since Mr Ashraf W Tabani headed CAPE while I led SAFE. Mr Tabani is the only Pakistani employer to be President of IOE.

EFP membership includes large Chambers of Commerce and Industry, active Trade Associations, all seven Karachi Industrial Town Associations, and an array of multinational, national, small and medium companies from all sectors, as well as from service sectors. These companies look towards EFP to assist, help and advice on human resources, employment, training, and environment issues. EFP Economic Council is the Think Tank of EFP and has prepared many publications and papers on specific sectors as well as on the economy of Pakistan.

I can state with all merit at my command that EFP is all set to scale the next plateau with more enthusiasm, dynamism, and purpose. It is incumbent upon EFP to be the leading light in ensuring industrial peace, harmony, and progress. EFP is proud of the fact that its counterpart, Pakistan United Workers Federation, is on the same page and that together the leadership of both organizations work in consultation with one another. This goes for other Workers Federations who also aim to be supportive and create a comfort zone. After all, WEBCOP is the epitome of social dialogue, and a manifestation of togetherness as social partners. This has created an enviable environment where both social partners will very soon sign a new Social Contract. And this is also my vision and goal. Together, we will achieve it.

I also take this opportunity to express thanks and appreciation to Chaudary Salik Hussain and Nadeem Aslam Chaudhry, Federal Minister and Secretary of Ministry of Overseas Pakistani and Human Resource Development, Geir Tonstol, Country Director ILO, and Provincial HRD Ministers, Secretaries, and Director Generals, for their continued support, advice, and guidance. And a big thank you to all EFP members. I am also grateful to EFP Board of Directors, EFP Team led by Secretary General Syed Nazar Ali, and to everyone who believes that when no one can do it, EFP can.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026