QUETTA: Various business and traders groups in Balochistan announced on Tuesday their merger with the United Business Group (UBG) under the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), a move leaders said aimed to tackle longstanding economic issues in the province.

The decision was announced at a meeting in Quetta attended by prominent business figures. Ghulam Farooq Khilji, a leading businessman and former president of the Balochistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), was named Chairman of UBG Balochistan. Jumma Khan Noorzai was appointed senior vice chairman. Both were tasked with overseeing UBG’s standing committees in the province.

Other attendees included Haji Mohammad Ayub Maryani, the Quetta Chamber of Commerce and Industry president; Jumma Khan Noorzai, the president of the Chamber of Commerce and Small Industry; former caretaker chief minister Alaudin Marri; Haji Fojan Badini; and Wali Noorzai.

They formally announced their groups’ merger in the presence of UBG Patron-in-Chief S.M. Tanveer, FPCCI President Atif Ikram Sheikh and Hanif Gohar.

The newly aligned business leaders welcomed the UBG delegation and expressed optimism about the merger.

“This is not a symbolic sign but a firm commitment to unity, development, and effective national representation,” Mr Khilji said.

“Balochistan’s business community is grappling with serious challenges which require collective action and representation at the national level.”

FPCCI President Sheikh and the UBG patron-in-chief lauded the decision.

They described the merger as a “refreshing breeze” for the business communities of Balochistan and the country, terming it a historic moment and pledging joint efforts to uplift the region’s trade and industry.

Published in Dawn, May 28th, 2025