TOBA TEK SINGH: Comprehensive recommendations will be formulated to resolve the crisis being faced by powerlooms of Faisalabad and recommendations will be forwarded to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif within two days, said Advisor to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan.
He said this during a visit to the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI) on the instructions of the prime minister on Friday.
FCCI President Arif Ehsan Malik apprised him of the difficulties faced by the local industry. Mr Khan said that the prime minister had given him the responsibility of reviewing the situation being faced by the powerlooms sector of Faisalabad and to prepare actionable proposals for its revival. He clarified that at this stage, the priority was to identify practical measures to provide immediate relief to industrialists.
Mr Khan said the development of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) was also among the government’s priorities. Steps had been taken to make the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (Smeda) active and dynamic, while further progress was expected for SMEs, agricultural financing and housing.
On the complaints of unnecessary inquiries and actions by government departments, he said that it was in the government’s notice. According to him, the rules and regulations of some government institutions were almost half a century old and reforms to incorporate current industrial requirements and economic conditions were needed. He said that the regulatory system should regulate business activities, maintain transparency and improve industrial efficiency, and not create unnecessary difficulties for industrialists.
Mr Khan said clear and fair principles were being formulated for the inspection of industrial establishments and these would maintain a balance between government inspectors’ powers and the rights of industrialists. Where the law allowed, instead of taking immediate action after a flaw or violation had been identified, the concerned institution should be given a fair opportunity to reform.
He said that the creation of a conducive environment for industries would open up the possibilities of increasing investment, employment, production and exports. Due to the availability of manpower in Pakistan, Chinese companies had also shown interest in investment and business activities here, which could create new opportunities for industrial development.
He assured the businessmen that the problems related to electricity and taxes of other industrial sectors, including powerlooms, would also be reviewed and workable solutions would be presented to the relevant authorities.
Published in Dawn, October 10th, 2026
