Islamabad, January 17, 2026: Acting President of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), Tahir Ayub, has stressed that the modernisation of Islamabad’s Fruit and Vegetable Market is critical to improving trader facilitation and strengthening the capital’s food supply chain, which caters to thousands of retailers and consumers daily.
Speaking to a visiting delegation of the Fruit and Vegetable Market, Tahir Ayub said the market’s rapidly expanding trade volume necessitates urgent infrastructure upgrades. He underscored the need for the development of new and modern auction facilities, including both open and covered platforms, to enhance efficiency and accommodate growing commercial activity.
He proposed the establishment of dedicated platforms for heavy vehicles and 40-foot containers to ease traffic congestion and improve logistical operations. He also suggested incorporating adjacent vacant and underutilised land within the market’s boundary to create open truck auction zones, thereby expanding capacity and reducing internal congestion. In addition, he called for a comprehensive anti-encroachment drive to reclaim illegally occupied spaces and redevelop them for legitimate market use, ensuring better management and operational discipline.
The ICCI Acting President further urged the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to introduce business-friendly reforms by rationalising Extra Storey Charges for commercial buildings. While appreciating CDA’s principal approval for allowing an additional storey on commercial structures—a move he termed positive in addressing the acute shortage of business space—he noted that the existing per square foot charges are financially unviable for many traders, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs). He emphasised that a realistic revision of these charges is essential to enable wider participation and sustainable business growth.
Tahir Ayub also recalled that the Chairman CDA, during a meeting with the ICCI portfolio, had promised to personally visit the market to assess the situation firsthand. He urged that this commitment be fulfilled at the earliest.
Reaffirming ICCI’s commitment to collaborative engagement, the Acting President said the Chamber stands ready to work closely with CDA and other stakeholders to develop practical, growth-oriented solutions. He expressed optimism that CDA would give due consideration to the proposals and take timely action to support entrepreneurship, boost trade, and advance the commercial modernisation of the federal capital.
