National Security and Economic Development Go Hand in Hand: National Coordinator NACTA

ISLAMABAD ( WNAM REPORT): In a significant step towards strengthening public-private collaboration for a safer and more prosperous Pakistan, the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) and the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) have reached a landmark understanding to establish a comprehensive framework of cooperation focusing on national security awareness, prevention of violent extremism, economic resilience, business continuity, entrepreneurship development, community engagement and social cohesion.
The understanding was reached during a visit of Mr. Jawad Ahmad Dogar, National Coordinator, NACTA, to the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He was accompanied by Dr. Uzma Siraj, Director Gender Initiatives; Ms. Faiza Fatima, Deputy Director; and Mr. Mujeeb Talpur, Consultant Media.
Under the agreed framework, both organizations will constitute a Joint Working Group (JWG) comprising representatives from ICCI and NACTA to oversee project approvals, implementation reviews, coordination mechanisms and expansion of collaborative activities. To ensure effective coordination, Dr. Uzma Siraj from NACTA and Mr. Adnan Mukhtar, Convener ICCI Standing Committee on Higher Education Commission (HEC), have been designated as focal persons.
Addressing the gathering, Jawad Ahmad Dogar, emphasized the importance of engaging the business community as a constructive stakeholder in fostering a secure, peaceful and prosperous society. He said that the collaboration aims to create greater awareness and strengthen national resilience through policy dialogue, research initiatives, capacity-building programmes and public-private
He noted that youth entrepreneurship, employment generation, women empowerment and enhanced economic participation would remain among the key pillars of the partnership. He stressed that economic progress and social harmony are essential ingredients for building long-term national security and collective prosperity.
Welcoming the NACTA delegation, President ICCI Sardar Tahir Mehmood highlighted the Chamber’s longstanding advocacy for ease of doing business and private sector development. He said that despite numerous challenges, Pakistan’s business community remains steadfast in its commitment to contributing to the country’s economic progress and transforming Pakistan into a competitive regional economic hub.
The ICCI President also outlined the Chamber’s future roadmap and ongoing initiatives aimed at promoting entrepreneurship, startups and innovation through stronger industry-academia linkages. He underscored ICCI’s commitment to supporting women-led enterprises, youth development programmes and inclusive economic growth as essential drivers of sustainable national development.
The participants expressed confidence that the collaboration between ICCI and NACTA would pave the way for meaningful engagement between the public and private sectors, helping strengthen social cohesion, economic stability and national resilience.
Among others, the meeting was attended by ICCI Vice President Irfan Chaudhry, Executive Committee Members Abdul Rehman Siddiqui, Zulqurnain Abbasi and Waseem Chaudhry, former Senior Vice President Khalid Chaudhry, ICCI Secretary General Ghulam Murtaza, senior members Sajid Iqbal and Ms. Uzma Sheeraz along with representatives from NACTA and the business community.