Islamabad, February 23,2026: President of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), Sardar Tahir Mehmood, has called for greater and institutionalized inclusion of chambers of commerce in national economic policymaking to ensure business-friendly reforms and sustainable growth.
In an interview he stated that chambers represent the collective voice of the business community and possess firsthand knowledge of the challenges faced by trade and industry. Their meaningful participation in policy formulation, he said, would lead to practical, implementable, and growth-oriented economic decisions.
The ICCI President emphasized that policies framed without adequate consultation with stakeholders often create uncertainty and increase the cost of doing business. He urged the government to establish a structured consultative mechanism at federal and provincial levels, enabling chambers to contribute to budget proposals, taxation reforms, export strategies, and industrial policies.
Sardar Tahir Mehmood highlighted that public-private dialogue is essential for improving ease of doing business, enhancing competitiveness, and attracting foreign direct investment. He noted that chambers can provide valuable input on trade facilitation, regulatory simplification, energy pricing, and SME development.
He further stressed that consistent engagement between policymakers and the business community would help restore investor confidence and promote economic stability. He added that chambers can also play a constructive role in monitoring policy implementation and identifying bottlenecks affecting industry and commerce.
Reaffirming ICCI’s commitment, he said the Chamber stands ready to collaborate closely with government institutions to formulate long-term, stable, and investment-friendly policies aimed at accelerating economic growth and strengthening Pakistan’s position in regional and global markets.
