A delegation of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), led by its President Sardar Tahir Mehmood, on Friday met with Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry.
They discussed the sealing of commercial plazas and other issues confronting Islamabad’s business community, said a press release issued by ICCI.
The ICCI delegation also highlighted concerns arising from the sealing of commercial plazas following the unfortunate fire incident at the PIMS Nursery.
Emphasizing that public safety and strict adherence to fire-safety standards are of paramount importance, the delegation said enforcement measures should be implemented through a transparent, consultative and facilitative mechanism so that businesses are not subjected to unnecessary disruption.
The delegation urged the need for a balanced approach under which fire and safety deficiencies are identified, communicated clearly to property owners and businesses, and reasonable opportunities are provided for corrective measures, wherever legally permissible.
It was emphasized that the business community fully supports measures aimed at protecting lives and property but seeks clarity, consistency and due process in regulatory enforcement.
During the meeting, it was agreed that these and other issues would be pursued through structured consultation with ICCI, which would serve as a single-window platform for coordination between the business community and the relevant authorities.
The arrangement is expected to facilitate direct engagement, timely identification of problems and practical solutions acceptable to all stakeholders.
Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry reaffirmed that restoring and strengthening the confidence of the business community remains a key priority of the government.
He assured the delegation that the genuine concerns of the business community would be considered and that efforts would be made to address them through a coordinated and pragmatic approach.
Speaking on the occasion, Sardar Tahir Mehmood, President ICCI, said that the business community stands firmly for safety standards and responsible regulation, particularly where public safety is involved.
However, he stressed that regulation should facilitate compliance rather than create unnecessary hurdles for businesses.
He appreciated the Minister of State’s positive response and expressed the hope that the agreed consultative mechanism would lead to practical solutions and their timely implementation, particularly for businesses affected by sealing and other CDA-related regulatory matters.
