FPCCI forms eight-member committee Led by President Atif Ikram Sheikh to engage in negotiations with government
LAHORE: (UrduPoint/Pakistan Point News-June 17th, 2025) The President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), Mr. Atif Ikram Sheikh, along with Patron-in-Chief of United Business Group (UBG) S.M. Tanveer, FPCCI Vice Presidents Zaki Aijaz and Tariq Jadoon, and other prominent business leaders, held a press conference at the FPCCI Regional Office in Lahore.
They strongly condemned the recently introduced law allowing for the arrest of members of the business community, declaring it wholly unacceptable.
They announced their decision to shut down all industrial operations and symbolically hand over the keys to the government, challenging it to run the factories itself. Referring to the introduction of Section 37AA, they asserted, “If the government intends to arrest businessmen, we cannot continue to operate our factories.”
While reaffirming their commitment to cooperate with the government, they emphasized that the business community has consistently supported national revenue objectives. However, they made it clear that harassment of businessmen would not be tolerated under any circumstances.
They reiterated their longstanding demand to reduce electricity tariffs to 9 cents per unit, noting that despite a drop in the Consumer price Index (CPI), interest rates remain unjustifiably high. They also condemned the imposition of 18% sales tax on solar energy solutions, calling it unreasonable.
Additionally, they called for the immediate reinstatement of the Final Tax Regime (FTR) and the full restoration of the Export Facilitation Scheme (EFS) in its original form.
President Atif Ikram Sheikh stated, “We are fighting for the rights of the business community. Until all policy anomalies are resolved, we stand in full solidarity with all trade bodies.” He further informed that a meeting with the Prime Minister of Pakistan will be arranged soon to seek resolution of these critical issues.
A seven-day deadline has been given to the government to address these concerns.
To facilitate formal dialogue, an eight-member committee has been constituted under the leadership of FPCCI President Atif Ikram Sheikh. The committee includes Vice President FPCCI Mr. Zaki Aijaz, Former FPCCI President Mr. Zubair Tufail, Chairman of the FPCCI Policy Advisory board Mr. Mian Zahid Hussain, President of Sialkot Chamber Mr. Ikram-ul-Haq, Former President of Faisalabad Chamber Dr. Khurram Tariq, FPCCI Executive Committee Member Mr. Momin Ali Malik, and Mr. Fahad Ishaq representing Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
