Islamabad, October 30, 2026: National Coordinator of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), Lieutenant General Asad ur Rehman Afzal Cheema, has said that the process of identifying suitable land for establishing a special economic zone in Islamabad is underway in consultation with the Punjab government, expressing hope that the matter would be resolved at the earliest.
He was speaking during a meeting with a delegation of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), led by its President Mohammad Zikria Akbar Zia, which called on him to discuss challenges facing Islamabad’s business community and explore measures to promote industrialisation, investment and economic growth.
The delegation also included ICCI Senior Vice President Mohammad Ashfaq Hussain Chatha and Secretary General Ghulam Murtaza.
The SIFC National Coordinator gave a patient hearing to the concerns raised by the business representatives and assured them that their issues would be taken up with the relevant authorities for appropriate resolution.
He encouraged the business community to submit regulatory and administrative complaints through the SIFC portal for expeditious processing, explaining that the Council refers such matters to the concerned government departments and authorities for necessary action.
Lieutenant General Cheema also endorsed the proposal to establish a state-of-the-art exhibition centre in the vicinity of Islamabad, recognising its potential to promote trade, investment and commercial activities.
He further highlighted investment opportunities at the Karachi Industrial Estate and encouraged business representatives to explore the available facilities and potential avenues for investment.
Earlier, ICCI President Mohammad Zikria Akbar Zia emphasised the need to allocate a suitable site for developing a modern industrial estate in Islamabad, saying it would create new opportunities for industrial expansion, investment and employment generation.
He also stressed the importance of establishing an international-standard exhibition and convention centre in the capital to host national and international exhibitions, showcase Pakistani products, promote exports and provide local businesses with greater access to international markets.
Highlighting policy and regulatory challenges affecting the business environment, Zia drew attention to State Bank of Pakistan regulations concerning debt recovery and high port charges, which he said were creating difficulties for the business community.
He underscored the importance of consistency and continuity in economic policies, calling for a predictable policy framework with a minimum 10-year horizon to restore investor confidence, encourage long-term investment and enable businesses to plan and expand their operations.
ICCI Senior Vice President Mohammad Ashfaq Hussain Chatha highlighted issues involving the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), noting that administrative and regulatory bottlenecks were affecting business activities and constraining private-sector growth.
During the meeting, it was also agreed that an ICCI delegation comprising representatives from various business and industrial sectors would visit the SIFC next week to gain firsthand knowledge of the Council’s initiatives and facilitation measures aimed at improving the ease of doing business, promoting investment and addressing private-sector concerns.
SIFC Director General Major General Sajid Amin, Colonel Mohammad Hafeez and other senior officials of the Council also attended the meeting.
