ISLAMABAD, Sept 29: Minister of State for Interior Shahzad Waseem on Thursday said the law ministry was vetting a law for controlling rent in the country.

He disclosed this while speaking at the oath-taking ceremony of the newly-elected office-bearers of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI).

The minister said the issue of rent was under consideration of the law ministry and would soon be presented before the federal cabinet for approval.

He said it would not be justified to ignore the role of Ajmal Baluch for his struggle in implementing Rent Control Act in Islamabad.

Mr Waseem said the chamber had introduced a new culture through voting and he was proud that he had started his political career with the ICCI. He said he learned a lot from his seniors and thanked them for their cooperation.

The minister said there must be representation of Islamabad chamber in the CDA board because participation of business community and citizens in the planning of the capital was a must. He congratulated the newly-elected office-bearers and executive members and announced that there was no difference of any sort with anybody for the resolution of problems of the business community and the citizens of Islamabad.

Meanwhile, the minister administered oath to the newly- elected office-bearers. They are Abdul Rauf, president; Malik Sohail Hussain, SVP and Syed Mohammad Sohail Rabbani, VP of the ICCI.

The ICCI secretary, Majid Shabbir, presented the annual report and audit accounts to the house which were unanimously approved.

The newly-elected president, Abdul Rauf, said he was planning to develop a research and development section and a digital library in the ICCI.

He said the project of ICCI Export Display Centre would soon be started and constructed on international standards.

Founder Group Chairman Mian Akram Farid said a positive change had come into the chamber through the power of voting and it was no more organization of an individual but a platform of members.

The outgoing president, Tariq Sadiq, explained the various initiatives taken during his tenure for promoting traders and trade in the capital. He also hoped that the newly-elected body would further boost the existing policies of the chamber.