FAISALABAD: Farooq Yousaf Sheikh, President Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FCCI) has stressed the need for strengthening linkages between industry and academia, stating that Pakistan’s sustainable development requires practical research and innovation rather than mere theoretical education. He was addressing a group of students from Government Graduate College for Women, Samanabad, during their visit to the Chamber.
He said that FCCI is the third largest chamber in Pakistan and the second largest in Punjab, representing around 22,000 members from 128 different industrial and commercial sectors.
He added that the Chamber is playing an effective role as a bridge between the government and the business community and has recently submitted comprehensive economic proposals to the government in connection with the federal budget.
Farooq Yousaf Sheikh highlighted that Faisalabad contributes 67 percent of Pakistan’s textile exports and is the second highest revenue-generating city in the country after Karachi.
He appreciated the recent improvements in Faisalabad’s road infrastructure and thanked Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz for her efforts. However, he emphasized that Faisalabad should also be allocated development funds on a par with Lahore.
He further stressed the need for establishing an Information Technology University and a cancer hospital in Faisalabad to meet the growing educational and healthcare requirements of the region.
The president FCCI observed that nearly 65 percent of Pakistan’s population comprises youth, while women account for approximately 51 percent of the country’s population. Therefore, he said, active participation of women and youth in economic activities is essential for achieving national progress and prosperity.
He also stated that the business community is the real stakeholder in the country’s economy and should be actively consulted in economic policymaking. He said that FCCI has played a significant role in relief and rehabilitation activities during natural disasters and floods.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026