Following the success of the “Banyan Al-Marsous” operation, a new industrial policy aimed at placing Pakistan among the world’s top 20 economies will be announced very soon. This was stated today by Haroon Akhtar Khan, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production, while representing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the 50th Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
He said he brought a message that the government highly values Faisalabad and serious efforts are being made to resolve the issues faced by the industries of this city.
Earlier, welcoming Haroon Akhtar Khan, Rehan Naseem Bharadah, President of the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, thanked him for participating in the Chamber’s 50-year Golden Jubilee celebrations and said that after the success of the Banyan Al-Marsous operation, it has become imperative to stabilize the economy on sustainable foundations.
He praised the leadership of Prime Minister Mian Shehbaz Sharif, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf, and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Baber Sidhu for the remarkable victory in the battle for truth.
He also mentioned the problems faced by the industrial sector and said that the government should create more facilities to ease doing business. He demanded the establishment of a new modern airport in the nearest area to provide air travel facilities to foreigners working in various industrial estates run under FIEDMC. He also stressed the need for a cargo complex in Faisalabad that would enable the export of approximately 25,000 tons of cargo annually from the city.
He called the establishment of a passport office within the Faisalabad Chamber necessary for the convenience of members and demanded that the Pindi Bhattian–Faisalabad motorway be expanded to six lanes.
He noted that according to the 1934 Act, the definition of DPL (Declared List of Petroleum) only includes petroleum goods, so the clause should not be applied to imported chemicals.
He emphasized the need to create facilities for traders and reform the taxation system and stated that, as per Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s announcement, an IT university should be established in Faisalabad.
He also reiterated the demand for setting up a Hajj camp in Faisalabad and starting direct Hajj flights from there. Additionally, he called for daily flights from Faisalabad to Karachi.
Former President Mian Muhammad Idris also spoke at the event, urging the prevention of harassment of business entities by various departments. He said people want to pay taxes, and issuing licenses could prevent harassment by departments. He further mentioned that although the usury-based banking system is being phased out, some elements are creating obstacles in this path. He stated that as Muslims, it is our duty to prevent such conspiracies in time.
During the Q&A session, participants included Arif Ehsan Malik, Mian Muhammad Latif, Bao Akram, Ehtisham Javed, Chaudhry Muhammad Nawaz, Haji Muhammad Aslam Bhalli, Mian Aftab, Naveed Gulzar, Waheed Khalq Rame, and Ayub Aslam Manj.
Immediately after his arrival, Haroon Akhtar Khan cut the cake for the Chamber’s Golden Jubilee and the Armed Forces' successes. He also wrote his impressions in the Chamber’s guest book. At the conclusion, President Rehan Naseem Bharadah presented the Chamber’s shield to the Prime Minister’s Special Assistant, while Haroon Akhtar Khan distributed shields among the executive members.
