FPCCI President Atif Ikram Shaikh Attends as Chief Guest
ISLAMABAD: Tariq Sadiq, former President of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ICCI), was sworn in as the new Chairman of the Founder Group of ICCI. The oath was administered by the outgoing Chairman, Khalid Iqbal Malik.
The ceremony was graced by Atif Ikram Shaikh, President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), who attended as the Chief Guest. He congratulated the newly elected Chairman, Tariq Sadiq, and expressed confidence that he would serve the business community with his exceptional abilities. Shaikh also lauded the outgoing Chairman, Khalid Iqbal Malik, for his relentless efforts in fostering unity within the business community.
Atif Ikram Shaikh emphasized the FPCCI’s commitment to improving the business environment. He highlighted the Federation’s achievements, including an initiative to launch a national airline. This venture, he noted, would not only enhance Pakistan’s connectivity and global image but also generate foreign exchange and create employment opportunities.
Newly elected Chairman Tariq Sadiq thanked the members of the Founder Group for entrusting him with this significant responsibility. He assured them that he would work towards strengthening the Group and making major decisions in consultation with its members. He also expressed his commitment to guiding ICCI in promoting the interests of the business community more effectively. Tariq acknowledged the valuable services of the outgoing Chairman Khalid Iqbal Malik and stated that he would draw upon his experience to make the Group stronger and more dynamic.
Tariq Sadiq also addressed the current economic and political challenges facing the country, emphasizing the importance of coordinated efforts to overcome these crises. He highlighted the need to address irrational power tariffs, high bank markups, and bureaucratic bottlenecks at the Capital Development Authority (CDA). Additionally, he proposed allying regional chambers to amplify the business community’s voice and make it more impactful.
Nasir Mansoor Qureshi, President of ICCI, congratulated Tariq Sadiq on assuming the role of Chairman and commended the services of former Chairman Khalid Iqbal Malik. He also shared the initiatives he had introduced to enhance the Chamber’s service delivery, including the digitalization of the membership process, aimed at benefiting the business community. He expressed his determination to further elevate the stature of ICCI with the support of his dynamic team.
Khalid Iqbal Malik reflected on the successes of the Founder Group during his tenure, thanking both senior and junior colleagues for their contributions, which led to the historic victory of the Founder Group in the elections.
Zafar Bakhtawari, Secretary General of the United Business Group, acknowledged the challenges facing the business community, particularly in terms of easing the business environment. Despite these obstacles, he assured that the community remains committed to driving innovation, increasing exports, and generating much-needed foreign exchange to support Pakistan’s economic stability.
The ceremony was conducted impressively by Senior Vice President Abdul Rehman Siddiqui.
