PESHAWAR: Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) has called for a special compensation package for traders affected by the ongoing anti-encroachment drive in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, expressing concern over the demolition of what it described as legally registered shops, markets and private properties.
According to a statement issued here on Wednesday, the demand was made by SCCI president Malik Imran Ishaq during a meeting with Governor Faisal Karim Kundi at Governor House.
A delegation led by Mr Ishaq, including senior vice-president Naeemur Rehman, vice-president Abid Pervaiz Awan and former Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry president Ghazanfar Bilour, discussed traders’ concerns and proposed measures to address their grievances.
Mr Ishaq urged the government to compensate traders whose businesses had been affected by the anti-encroachment campaign and make alternative arrangements for relocating their shops and markets.
Governor’s help sought for solution to businessmen’s issues
He stressed the need for consultation with chambers of commerce and traders’ representatives before implementing government policies that could affect the business community, saying such engagement was necessary to protect their legitimate rights and interests.
The SCCI president also highlighted the factors contributing to the economic and industrial slowdown in the province and called for a special fiscal relief package to revive businesses, promote industrialisation and create employment opportunities.
He drew the governor’s attention to a shortage of funds and other obstacles delaying the completion of the Peshawar Expo Centre. He urged Mr Kundi to take up the matter with the federal government to ensure early completion of the project, which he said would facilitate traders and exporters and help increase the country’s exports.
Mr Ishaq also sought the governor’s intervention to address difficulties faced by SCCI members in obtaining acceptance of chamber visa recommendation letters for China. He proposed that the matter be pursued with the Chinese embassy through the federal government and diplomatic channels.
The chamber president further proposed formation of a high-powered committee under the supervision of the governor’s adviser on industries and commerce, with representation from relevant government departments, to resolve the business community’s problems on a permanent basis.
Governor Kundi assured the delegation that he would take up the demand for compensation for traders affected by the anti-encroachment drive. He also pledged to raise other issues concerning the province’s business community with the federal and provincial authorities in light of the chamber’s recommendations.
Mr Ishaq thanked the governor for taking up the issues and issuing directions for their timely resolution. He reaffirmed the chamber’s commitment to continued consultation and coordination with the government to secure relief for businesses and promote economic and industrial development in the province.
Published in Dawn, October 29th, 2026
