Islamabad, September 11, 2026: A delegation of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), led by President Sardar Tahir Mehmood, called on Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry and discussed the sealing of commercial plazas and other key issues confronting Islamabad’s business community.
The meeting covered several CDA-related regulatory matters, including Floor Area Ratio (FAR) charges, parking requirements, compliance requirements and the sealing of commercial properties.
The ICCI delegation raised concerns over the sealing of commercial plazas following the unfortunate fire incident at the PIMS Nursery. It stressed that while public safety and strict compliance with fire-safety standards were of paramount importance, enforcement measures should be implemented through a transparent, consultative and facilitative mechanism to avoid unnecessary disruption to businesses.
The delegation called for a balanced approach under which fire and safety deficiencies are clearly identified and communicated to property owners and businesses, with reasonable opportunities provided for corrective measures wherever legally permissible.
The representatives said the business community fully supported measures aimed at protecting lives and property but sought clarity, consistency and due process in regulatory enforcement.
It was agreed that these and other issues would be pursued through structured consultations with the ICCI, which would serve as a single-window platform for coordination between the business community and relevant authorities. The arrangement is expected to facilitate direct engagement, timely identification of problems and practical solutions acceptable to all stakeholders.
Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry reaffirmed that restoring and strengthening the confidence of the business community remained a key priority of the government. He assured the delegation that genuine concerns of the business community would be considered and efforts made to address them through a coordinated and pragmatic approach.
Speaking on the occasion, Sardar Tahir Mehmood said the business community stood firmly for safety standards and responsible regulation, particularly where public safety was involved. However, he stressed that regulation should facilitate compliance rather than create unnecessary hurdles for businesses.
He appreciated the minister’s positive response and expressed hope that the agreed consultative mechanism would lead to practical solutions and their timely implementation, particularly for businesses affected by sealing and other CDA-related regulatory matters.
The ICCI delegation comprised Vice President Irfan Chaudhry, former President Mohammed Ejaz Abbasi, Executive Member Imran Minhas and former Senior Vice President Khalid Chaudhry.
