PESHAWAR: Newly elected office-bearers of Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) have called for a comprehensive economic relief package to revive industrial and commercial activities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The demand was made by SCCI president Malik Imran Ishaq during meetings with delegations of traders representing various sectors including import and export, mobile accessories, Haj and Umrah services, automobiles and auto parts and the Pakistan International Business Forum.
According to a statement issued here on Saturday the delegations visited the chamber to share their problems and also to congratulate the newly elected office-bearers including senior vice president Naeemur Rehman and vice president Abid Pervaiz Awan on formally assuming their offices.
Mr Ishaq said the prolonged closure of border crossings, multiple and double taxation, what traders described as unwarranted actions by provincial and federal authorities, high fuel and energy prices, and what they termed anti-business policies had increased the cost of doing business. He said these factors had contributed to industrial decline and the stagnation of commercial activities in the province.
He said KP was geographically distant from the country’s major seaports, resulting in higher transportation and other business costs compared to other parts of the country.
The SCCI president said prolonged border closure had compounded the difficulties of the business community, particularly traders dependent on trade with neighbouring countries. He added that the slowdown in trade and industrial activities had also affected employment opportunities.
“Traders are the backbone of the country’s economy and they must be provided with necessary facilities and relief,” he said.
Mr Ishaq welcomed the visiting delegations and said the chamber was aware of the difficulties confronting the business community. He asked traders to submit their issues and proposals in writing so that the SCCI could formally take them up with the relevant federal and provincial authorities.
He said the chamber would consult the business community to formulate viable proposals aimed at addressing its concerns.
Mr Ishaq reiterated that the SCCI had historically played a role in taking up traders’ issues with the authorities and assured the delegations that the chamber would continue its efforts to resolve their problems.
The SCCI president also urged the government and the relevant departments to take practical measures to address the challenges facing businesses and industry in the province.
Published in Dawn, October 4th, 2026
