Islamabad, April 17, 2026: The Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) and the Capital Development Authority (CDA) have agreed to work closely to address key challenges faced by the business community and to promote economic growth in the federal capital.
The understanding was reached during a meeting between a high-level ICCI delegation, led by its President Sardar Tahir Mehmood, and the newly appointed Chief Commissioner Islamabad and CDA Chairman, Sohail Ashraf.
Welcoming the delegation, the CDA Chairman reaffirmed his commitment to resolving the legitimate concerns of traders and residents on a priority basis. He emphasized that the authority is focused on introducing progressive reforms to facilitate trade, improve ease of doing business, and modernize urban infrastructure in Islamabad.
He further highlighted that CDA is pursuing comprehensive urban planning initiatives aimed at enhancing the skyline of commercial districts, improving the city’s aesthetic appeal, and positioning Islamabad as a competitive regional economic hub.
On the occasion, the ICCI delegation presented a bouquet to the Chairman as a gesture of goodwill and expressed confidence in his leadership.
The delegation included prominent business figures such as Tariq Sadiq, Abdul Rauf Allam, Tahir Ayub, Irfan Chaudhry, and Israr ul Haq Mishwani.
Speaking during the meeting, Sardar Tahir Mehmood apprised the CDA Chairman of key issues faced by the business community, including regulatory constraints, urban planning challenges, and infrastructure bottlenecks. He noted that Islamabad holds significant potential to emerge as a leading regional economic hub if business-friendly policies are effectively implemented.
He particularly stressed the need for rationalization of the Floor Area Ratio (FAR), stating that aligning it with modern urban standards would promote vertical development, optimize land use, and unlock substantial investment in the real estate and commercial sectors. He also highlighted the urgent need to upgrade the Fruit and Vegetable Market, a critical supply chain facility serving the twin cities and surrounding regions.
Both sides agreed to maintain close coordination and institutional collaboration to resolve longstanding issues and to work jointly towards transforming Islamabad into a model capital city with world-class commercial zones, efficient civic services, and a thriving business environment.
