Key Points
- Industrialists question proposed amendments to trade organisation regulations
- Concerns focus on governance, elections and regulatory oversight
- Business community calls for wider consultation before final approval
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s industrialists have raised concerns over proposed amendments to rules governing trade organisations, warning that the changes could affect the autonomy and representative structure of business bodies across the country.
The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) President Atif Ikram Sheikh, Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) President Kashif Anwar, and Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) President Iftikhar Ahmed Sheikh said the proposed revisions to the Trade Organisations Rules require broader consultation with stakeholders before implementation.
Trade organisations in Pakistan include chambers of commerce and industry, trade associations and sector-specific bodies.
These institutions represent business interests, facilitate policy dialogue with the government and support export promotion.
FPCCI Vice President Saquib Fayyaz Magoon also expressed reservations about provisions related to governance structures, election procedures and regulatory oversight.
Clarity is needed on the role of the regulator and the extent of government involvement in internal affairs, he added.
Business leaders argued that strong and independent trade bodies are essential for effective public-private dialogue.
They said any regulatory reform should strengthen transparency without undermining institutional independence.
Some stakeholders also highlighted the importance of aligning domestic trade governance frameworks with international best practices.
Globally, chambers of commerce operate as independent member-driven institutions that advocate for policy stability and competitiveness.
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Pakistan’s private sector plays a central role in exports, employment generation and industrial growth.
Representatives said uncertainty in regulatory frameworks could dampen investor confidence at a time when the country is seeking to expand exports and attract foreign investment.
Officials at the Ministry of Commerce’s Directorate General of Trade Organisations (DGTO), the regulatory authority overseeing trade bodies, maintain that the objective of the amendments is to improve accountability, streamline procedures and ensure compliance with modern corporate governance standards.
Industrialists have called for structured consultations between the Ministry of Commerce and representative trade bodies to address concerns and build consensus.
They emphasised that regulatory reforms should be gradual, transparent and designed in partnership with stakeholders to ensure long-term institutional stability.
