The Business community is the backbone of local economy and Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration would take all required measures to resolve the problems of trade and industry, observed ICT Deputy Commissioner, Capt (r) Mushtaq Ahmed, on Wednesday.
He was addressing the business community at Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI). He was accompanied by Assistant Deputy Commissioners and Assistant Commissioners of City, Rural and Industrial Area.
He said that a comprehensive security plan was being finalised for the Metro Bus project that will also take care of the security issues of business areas located on Metro Bus route.
He said Price Control Committees will be revised and representatives of the business community will also be included in such committees to ensure compliance of notified prices, especially during the Holy Month of Ramadan.
He stressed upon the need for close liaison between ICCI and ICT Administration for resolving key issues of business community and creating conducive environment for business activities. He assured that ICCI will be taken on board on issues that have direct impact on trade and industry.
In his welcome address, ICCI president Muzzamil Hussain Sabri, highlighted various issues of business community. He said close coordination should be established between Chamber and ICT during the month of Ramadan to maintain prices at reasonable level and avoid any unnecessary price hike.
He said shifting of Excise and Taxation office to H-8 Sector has created parking problems and ICT should take measures to address these issues. He said that the Social Security Board should be revamped by incorporating representations of the business community.
He said ICT has planned to constitute a market committee to deal with the affairs of flour mills in Islamabad and demanded that this decision should be reconsidered as Islamabad was not an agriculture area.
Tariq Sadiq, Muhammad Ejaz Abbasi, Ajmal Baloch, Malik Sohail Hussain, Sh. Amir Waheed, Ch. Riast, Shahid Zaman Shinwari and others also spoke at the occasion and raised many issues of business community for redress. It was stressed that ICT office and Kucheri should be shifted from F-8 business center to avoid security threats and problems to traders and residents of the area. The issues of Sabzi Mandi, I-11/4, Industrial areas and other sectors were also highlighted for remedial measures by the ICT administration.