Strong, united business community essential for economic growth: Tariq Sadiq

ISLAMABAD ( WNAM REPORT ): Chairman Founder Group of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ICCI), Tariq Sadiq, has said that close cooperation between the business community and government institutions can lay a strong foundation for Pakistan’s economic stability and growth. He stressed that effective representation of the business community in key decision-making institutions is the need of the hour, adding that the strength of the Founder Group lies in its unity, organization and the confidence of the business community.
He was addressing a dinner hosted by Wajid Ayub, Javedullah Wazir and the business community of Tarnol in honour of the Founder Group leadership and candidates contesting the upcoming ICCI elections. ICCI Council Members Abdul Rauf Alam, Khalid Javed, Zafar Bakhtawari, Khalid Iqbal Malik, Amir Waheed, Chaudhry Masood and Chaudhry Waheeduddin, along with a large number of traders, were present.
Tariq Sadiq said the Founder Group had always raised its voice for the rights of traders and protection of their business interests. He called upon the business community to set aside differences and remain united in electing representatives who could effectively highlight their issues at relevant forums through the Chamber platform.
Wajid Ayub said, “Our commitment and loyalty remain with the Founder Group, and we are working day and night for its success.” He said they had stood with the group for the last 10 years and would continue to uphold this commitment. He added that the participation of around 280 voters at the event was a clear reflection of the group’s support, with nearly 50 percent of the voters attending the gathering.
Former ICCI President Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari said that amid discussions about the creation of new provinces, Islamabad’s business community should take the initiative to establish an “Islamabad Businessmen & Citizens Party” to ensure effective representation of the city. He urged businesspeople to contest elections from their respective constituencies so that Islamabad’s genuine issues could be represented more effectively in the assemblies.
Ahsan Bakhtawari said Zakaria Zia and Umar Hussain would serve the Chamber with distinction, while Senior Vice Presidential candidate Iftikhar Chatha was also an excellent choice. Referring to the problems faced by Tarnol traders, he called for resolving parking issues in coordination with the National Highway Authority (NHA) and raising an effective voice for construction of a flyover at the GT Road railway crossing. He said Islamabad having its own assembly would enable the city’s issues to be addressed more effectively. He added that the Founder Group would soon present its formal election manifesto and invited the business community to join hands to make Islamabad a beautiful and business-friendly city.
Amir Waheed said the Founder Group had consistently advocated the rights of traders, while the strong participation of the business community in the ongoing election campaign reflected its confidence in the group. Ijaz Abbasi emphasized that unity and strong representation were essential for effectively resolving the problems of the business community.
Presidential candidate Zakaria Zia thanked the hosts and participants for expressing their support, trust and goodwill, saying that their affection and confidence would always be remembered. He pledged that, after the election as well, he would take all stakeholders along and continue joint efforts for resolving the problems of Islamabad’s business community. Presidential candidate Umar Hussain said the objective was not merely to secure an office but to strengthen the Chamber, ensure an effective voice for traders at the highest decision-making forums and secure priority-based solutions to their problems. He pledged to work with all groups and trader organizations for the development of Islamabad and promotion of business activities.
President Central Anjuman-e-Tajiran Pakistan Kashif Chaudhry said all stakeholders would be taken along to ensure the success of the Founder Group and transform the Chamber into an effective platform for addressing the genuine problems of traders. Babar Chaudhry conducted the proceedings and welcomed the participants.