PESHAWAR: Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry urged the federal and provincial governments to announce a special tax-exemption for the trading community in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while keeping in view of the current economic conditions.
Speaking during a dinner hosted by Businessmen Forum in honour of traders of Ashraf Road and its adjacent bazaars and markets here at the chamber house, SCCI president Junaid Altaf called Torkham, Kharlachi and Ghulam Khan as lifeline for KP traders as their businesses and trade was directly attached with Afghanistan and Central Asian countries, said a statement issued here on Saturday.
The meeting was attended by SCCI’s senior vice president Muhammad Nadeem, Businessmen Forum leader and former president FPCCI Ghazanfar Bilour, former president of the chamber and Anjuman Tajraan lifetime president Haji Muhammad Afzal, former vice president Anees Ashraf and members of the chamber’s executive committee Saifullah Khan, Abbas Fuad Azeem and Ihsanullah, Rashid Iqbal Siddiqui, Ihsanullah Mohmand, Faiz Rasool, Saddar Gul, Fazale Wahid, Ishtiaq Muhammad, secretary general SCCI Muqtasid Ahsan and Gul Zaman, along with presidents, senior office-bearers and members Ashraf Road, Reti Bazaar, Rampura Gate and adjacent bazaars and markets.
President of Ashraf Road Ejaz Hussain, Sadaqat Rambail of Rampura Gate, Taimoor Shahnawaz, Malik Inam and Rehman Gul and others on the occasion raised serious concerns over closure of trade routes, imposition of heavy federal and provincial taxes, poor sanitation, traffic system, lawlessness, street crime, unwarranted crackdown by KP Food Authority, Excise Dept along with ban on wheat flour movement from Punjab to KP and other issues.
Says Afghan trade route closure badly impacting KP economy, jobs
Traders urged the SCCI to raise these issues with the relevant authorities to help resolve their difficulties and create a more conducive environment for economic growth and business activity across the province.
They, on the occasion, highly eulogised the services of the Businessmen Forum for business community and announced full support to the forum for the upcoming SCCI election for 2026-28.
SCCI chief maintained that the commercial and trade activities had completely halted due to closure of trade routes over the past nine months, generating massive unemployment in the province and stressed the need for extending a special tax-holiday for KP’ businesses under the prevailing scenario.
Junaid Altaf, while highlighting the initiatives for welfare for the members, economic growth of KP, said that an art and business facilitation centre would soon be opened at the chamber, housing multiple government offices including police, Nadra, traffic, banks, Wapda and others to provide services the members under one-roof.
He also mentioned that a complaint cell has been established by the SCCI and asked the traders to submit issues in written form to be formally taken up with relevant departments for their early resolution.
Published in Dawn, July 26th, 2026