ISLAMABAD: The Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) is working to identify a suitable area for the establishment of a special economic zone (SEZ) in the federal capital, for which consultations with the Punjab government are underway, and the matter is likely to be resolved at the earliest.
This was stated by National Coordinator for SIFC Lieutenant General Asad ur Rehman Afzal Cheema here on Friday during a meeting with a delegation of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), led by President ICCI Mohammad Zikria Akbar Zia.
The business community of the federal capital highlighted the key challenges confronting Islamabad’s business community and discussed measures to promote industrialisation, investment and economic growth. The delegation included Senior Vice President Mohammad Ashfaq Hussain Chatha and Secretary General Ghulam Murtaza.
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The SIFC coordinator, while listening to the concerns raised by the business community, assured the delegation that the issues would be taken up with the relevant authorities for appropriate resolution.
He added that the business community could submit its regulatory and administrative issues through the SIFC portal for expeditious processing and resolution, as the Council refers such complaints to the relevant government departments and authorities for necessary action.
He also endorsed the proposal for establishing a state-of-the-art exhibition centre in Islamabad, recognising its significance in promoting trade, investment and business activities. The SIFC coordinator further highlighted the investment potential of the Karachi Industrial Estate and encouraged the business community to explore investment opportunities there and benefit from the available facilities.
Earlier, ICCI President Mohammad Zikria Akbar Zia emphasised the need for allocating a suitable site for the development of a modern industrial estate in Islamabad, which would provide local businesses with new opportunities for industrial expansion, investment and employment generation. He also stressed the importance of establishing an international-standard exhibition and convention centre in the capital to host national and international exhibitions, showcase Pakistani products, promote exports and provide local businesses with greater access to international markets.
Highlighting the policy and regulatory challenges affecting the business environment, he drew attention to State Bank of Pakistan regulations relating to debt recovery and high port charges, which were creating difficulties for the business community.
He emphasised that consistency and continuity in economic policies were essential for sustainable economic growth, stressing that Pakistan needed a predictable economic policy framework with a minimum 10-year horizon to restore investor confidence, encourage long-term investment and enable businesses to plan and expand their operations.
ICCI Senior Vice President Mohammad Ashfaq Hussain Chatha highlighted issues concerning the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), pointing out that various administrative and regulatory bottlenecks were adversely affecting business activities and impeding the growth of the private sector.
It was also agreed during the meeting that an ICCI delegation comprising representatives of various business and industrial sectors would visit the SIFC next week to gain first-hand insight into the initiatives and facilitation measures being undertaken by the Council to improve the ease of doing business, promote investment and address the concerns of the private sector.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026