Islamabad (Special Correspondent) Sardar Tahir Mahmood, President of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), has stated that the Founder Group is going into the ICCI elections for the 2026-28 term based on their performance, practical actions, and solid results, rather than mere promises and slogans. He mentioned that the Founder Group has always prioritized solving the issues of the business community, enhancing the chamber’s role, and promoting a favorable business environment for the private sector.
In an interview, he said that the ICCI Executive Committee elections for the 2026-28 term will be held on September 16, 2026, and he is confident that the business community will prefer leadership that has consistently proven its capability through practical work, effective representation, and commendable results.
Sardar Tahir Mahmood emphasized that the clear stance of the Founder Group is that the real strength of any chamber lies not in slogans but in performance, continuity, credibility, and practical actions. He noted that in the current era, the ICCI has made significant efforts for ease of doing business, eliminating regulatory hurdles, and effective communication with government institutions.
He stated that issues such as high taxes, energy costs, matters related to the CDA, property and commercial issues, infrastructure, parking, business facilitation, and other important matters have been continuously raised before the relevant authorities, while direct communication with government institutions, regulatory authorities, and other relevant bodies for resolving the issues of the business community has also been further strengthened.
The ICCI president said that the chamber has established itself as a more effective business facilitation and problem-solving platform rather than merely a representative institution. By expanding connections with various government agencies, regulatory bodies, diplomatic missions, and international business organizations, pathways have been opened for resolving issues, accessing information, and creating new business opportunities for the business community.
He mentioned that the ICCI has significantly expanded its activities and commercial diplomacy internationally, focusing on business delegations, business opportunity conferences, B2B meetings, investment promotion activities, and connections with global markets. The primary aim of these initiatives is to connect Pakistani entrepreneurs with global markets, create new export opportunities, attract foreign investment, and promote joint venture possibilities.
Sardar Tahir Mahmood stated that the prosperity of the business community and Pakistan’s economic development are interlinked. When businesses thrive, investment increases, job opportunities are created, exports rise, and government revenues also grow. He remarked that facilitating the private sector is not a concession but an investment in Pakistan’s economic future.
He added that the Founder Group will continue to advocate for continuity in policies, reduction in business costs, competitive energy rates, simplification of the tax system, an effective regulatory framework, better infrastructure, and improved access to financial facilities for businesses, especially SMEs.