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Business Recorder
08-08-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Traders oppose demolition of Shahi Katha market
PESHAWAR: Traders on Thursday took a unified stance regarding the anti-encroachment campaign and declared no compromise on razing down legal businesses and shops, especially Shahi Katha market in the city. Traders at a joint meeting arranged by Businessman Forum and Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry here at chamber reaffirmed commitment to support provincial government and district administration in the ongoing anti-encroachment campaign. They, however, made it clear that demolition of legal businesses and shops won't be acceptable under guise of the anti-encroachment drive in the city. The meeting was chaired by SCCI Senior Vice president Abdul Jalil Jan and Businessman Forum leader and former FPCCI president Ghazanfar Bilour. Traders, market, bazaar unions' presidents, office bearers and others were present in a large number were present in the meeting. Traders viewed economic and commercial activities have already slowed down in the prevailing circumstances while the launch of the anti-entrainment drive further multiplied miseries of the business community. We are ready to cooperate with the local administration but there will be no compromise on Shahi Katha market. The meeting slammed the misbehavior of senior officials and stated that the business community believes to resolve issues through table talks but abuse, harassment of traders is intolerable during the anti-encroachment campaign. Ghazanfar Bilour commented on the ongoing anti-encroachment drive in the city, stating that they have no idea what the provincial government and local administration want or desire to flourish business and economic activities. He made it clear that anti-traders policy is unacceptable. We stand with traders and have a firm stance on the anti-encroachment campaign. Ghazanfar Bilour vowed to continue to fight for fulfillment of all legitimate demands and provision of facilities and relief to the business community. He emphasised that foreign investment won't be flourished until provision of facilities to the established businesses and industries. Haji Muhammad Afzal in his remarks opined SCCI and Businessman Forum have clear stance on the anti-encroachment and they will never allow anyone to commit economic murder of the traders and jobless them. The traders' leader said SCCI and BF had always played a central role in resolution of business community issues by taking them with relevant authorities' effective manner. He said it is quite clear that Shahi Katha is property of the local government and the intervention of district administration into this matter is unacceptable. He informed that traders in city started removal of illegal structures on self-help basis so he requested the administration. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
14-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Traders hail initiative for revival of manufacturing sector
PESHAWAR: Members of the business community welcomed the government's announcement of a new industrial policy for revival of the country's declining manufacturing sector. However, they cautioned that without immediate, inclusive, and practical measures, the manufacturing sector— already gasping for survival— may face irreversible collapse. Traders took a stance that the announcement signals recognition of the crisis, the business community, particularly industrialists, are standing at the edge of despair. Skyrocketing energy costs, an unpredictable policy environment, insecurity, and a crippling taxation regime have rendered operations unsustainable for many manufacturers, especially small and medium enterprises, the traders said. 'Our factories are shutting down, our machines are falling silent, and our workers are being laid off. If this continues, we won't just lose industrial output—we'll lose hope,' Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) President Fazal Moqeem Khan said while talking to this scribe. He expressed serious concern over the consistent decline in the industrial sector's share in GDP—from 26% in 1996 to just 18% in 2025— calling it not just a number but a reflection of lost jobs, shuttered businesses, and fading confidence in Pakistan's economic future. While appreciating the proposed steps such as fiscal incentives, legal reforms, and industrial rehabilitation, Moqeem stressed that without direct and meaningful engagement with stakeholders, including regional chambers, these efforts may once again remain limited to paper. 'The policies designed in Islamabad must reflect the ground realities of Faisalabad, Karachi, Peshawar, and Quetta,' he added. 'Decisions made without us will not serve us.' However, Abdul Jalil Jan, a senior vice president of the chamber emphasised that the true revival of industry requires bold political will, structural reforms, and an enabling environment where enterprise is rewarded—not punished. Shehryar Khan, vice president of the chamber, urged the government to prioritize transparency, predictability, and regional inclusivity in the implementation of this policy. Reiterating its commitment, the SCCI president pledged full cooperation in any sincere efforts aimed at pulling the country's industrial sector back from the brink—but warned that time is running out. 'We are not asking for fevers; we are demanding our right to survive, contribute, and grow. The economy cannot thrive if its industries are in free fall.' Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
