PESHAWAR: Sectoral committee on revitalisation of sick and closed industrial units in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has called for a special incentive package, tax holidays, and provision of soft loans for revival of sick and closed industries in the province.

The demand was made during the preliminary meeting of the committee held with its chairman Fuad Ishaq, former president of Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), in the chair on Friday, according to a statement.

It was stated that the sectoral committee was formed by the provincial government under the New Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Industrial Policy 2025-30.

SCCI president Fazal Moqeem Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Economic Zones and Management Company senior officials Fakhar Alam Sahibzada, Anwaar Zia, Mohammad Rafiq, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority provincial chief Rashid Aman, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Board of Investment and Trade director business facilitation Sarwar Iqbal and other senior officials were in attendance.

The forum presented a number of proposals for revival of sick and closed industries in the province.

On the occasion, Fuad Ishaq called for a special incentive package, tax holidays, provision of soft loans for revival of sick and closed industries in KP.

He said terrorism and ‘cumbersome’ regulatory policies had led to closure of industries.

The participants stressed that revitalisation of sick and closed industries should be prioritised in the new Industrial Policy 2025-30.

The forum lauded KP government initiatives for industrialisation to help boost trade and economic activities in the province.

Also speaking on the occasion, SCCI president Fazal Moqeem called for revival of sick and closed industries under a comprehensive roadmap and sought a special economic package.

He suggested that a five-year tax holiday for sick and closed industries should be announced, and soft loans should be extended to entrepreneurs.

Published in Dawn, March 29th, 2025