Islamabad, May 17, 2026: President of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Sardar Tahir Mehmood, has urged the federal government to immediately withdraw lockdown measures and restrictions imposed in the federal capital, warning that the business community is suffering heavy financial losses and growing uncertainty.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the ICCI president expressed concern over what he described as discriminatory treatment toward Islamabad’s business sector, noting that provinces across the country had already eased restrictions and restored normal economic activity.
He said traders, industrialists, small business owners and daily wage workers in the capital were facing serious economic hardships due to the continued restrictions.
According to Sardar Tahir Mehmood, markets, commercial centers, restaurants and other business sectors in Islamabad have witnessed a sharp decline in economic activity, affecting thousands of families associated with trade and industry.
He said the prolonged lockdown had disrupted supply chains, reduced customer flow and created uncertainty among investors and entrepreneurs.
The ICCI president questioned why Islamabad’s business community continued to face restrictions when provinces including Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan had already resumed normal business activities.
He stressed that equal treatment should be ensured for the federal capital and its commercial sector.
Highlighting the approaching Eid-ul-Adha season, Sardar Tahir Mehmood said only a few days remained before one of the busiest shopping periods for traders and shopkeepers.
He said lifting the lockdown immediately would help businesses recover from financial losses and revive commercial activity during the important festive season.
“Eid-related shopping is a major source of income for many businesses, and continued restrictions will badly affect the livelihoods of thousands of families associated with the commercial sector,” he added.
The ICCI president urged the federal government and relevant authorities to review the situation and announce the immediate withdrawal of restrictions in Islamabad to restore economic confidence and allow businesses to operate normally.
He maintained that Pakistan’s fragile economy could not afford further stagnation and stressed the need to facilitate the private sector to support economic growth, employment generation and revenue collection.
Sardar Tahir Mehmood also reaffirmed that the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry would continue advocating for policies aimed at supporting trade, industry and economic stability in the federal capital.
