Rawalpindi, (Parliament Times) : The Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (RCCI) welcomed Senate Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani for an insightful address to the business community. RCCI President Usman Shaukat, Senior Vice President Khalid Farooq Qazi, Vice President Fahad Barlas, Group Leader Sohail Altaf, along with former presidents and executive committee members, extended a warm reception to the Senate Chairman. Representatives from Anjuman Tajran, Small Chamber President Sardar Saqib, RWCCI President Ms.Quratulain Khan, women members, and RCCI members also attended the event.
President Usman Shaukat provided an update on RCCI’s ongoing initiatives, noting improvements in Pakistan’s macroeconomic indicators. He highlighted reduced inflation and interest rates, a stabilized currency, and increased exports and remittances. He also urged for accelerating the construction work of economic and industrial zones around the Ring Road, underscoring the strategic importance of these zones in fostering growth. Group Leader Sohail Altaf further advocated for an economic charter to ensure policy continuity, suggested business community representation in Senate Finance and Commerce Committees, and recommended that the Chamber President’s term be reduced from two years to one for greater dynamism.
Addressing the ceremony, Chairman Gillani acknowledged the business community’s pivotal role in national economic development. He endorsed RCCI’s call for an economic charter, policy stability, and business representation in key committees. Stressing the importance of the economic zones around Ring Road, he recognized them as essential for sustainable growth. Gillani emphasized that public-private partnerships are crucial for driving socio-economic progress and reaffirmed Parliament’s commitment to supporting recovery efforts. He highlighted government initiatives such as the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) as part of efforts to assist the needy.
Chairman Gillani concluded by emphasizing that political stability directly impacts economic growth, underscoring the importance of a conducive business environment and consistent policies for national progress. He called for reduced imports, increased exports, and a stable policy framework to attract long-term investment, reassuring the business community of Parliament’s support in promoting Pakistan’s economic prosperity.