Islamabad, April 25, 2026: The Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Saturday lauded the government’s proactive diplomatic outreach aimed at promoting regional peace, while raising serious concerns over the prolonged closure of key road arteries in Islamabad and Rawalpindi that has disrupted business activity.
ICCI President Sardar Tahir Mehmood praised Pakistan’s role in facilitating dialogue between the United States and Iran, saying such efforts enhance the country’s image as a credible advocate of peace and economic cooperation. He noted that sustained diplomatic engagement would help boost investor confidence, promote regional harmony, and unlock long-term economic opportunities.
However, he highlighted that the ongoing blockade of major routes in the twin cities has severely hampered the movement of goods, disrupting supply chains—particularly of fast-moving consumer goods (FMCGs)—and causing significant difficulties for the business community.
While acknowledging measures taken by the local administration, including special arrangements for transporting essential goods, Mehmood said logistical challenges persist, with long queues of vehicles and containers still reported on motorways and adjoining routes.
He warned that containers carrying essential commodities have remained stranded for days due to restricted access to the federal capital, adversely affecting distributors, importers, wholesalers, retailers, and traders. The disruption, he added, has led to substantial financial losses, supply shortages, and an inability to meet market demand, putting goods worth billions of rupees at risk.
Emphasizing the need for a balanced approach, Mehmood said maintaining law and order is critical but should not come at the expense of economic activity. He urged Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to take immediate notice of the situation and ensure restoration of transport routes while maintaining necessary security arrangements.
He further noted that several trade bodies, including the All Pakistan Importers and Distributors Consortium, the Confectionery Distributors Association, and the Rawalpindi-Islamabad Distributors Association, have collectively raised the issue, terming it a serious concern for the broader business ecosystem.
ICCI Senior Vice President Tahir Ayub said the disruption is not only impacting large enterprises but also small traders and daily-wage earners whose livelihoods depend on uninterrupted supply chains. He stressed that restoring normal transport operations is essential to protect livelihoods and maintain market stability.
ICCI Vice President Irfan Chaudhry underscored that uninterrupted supply chains are the backbone of economic resilience, particularly for essential consumer goods, and called for a pragmatic mechanism to ensure both security and smooth commercial activity.
