FAISALABAD: Numbers of employees registered with Punjab Social Security Employees institution (PESSI) have jumped from 600,000 to 1.1 Million within a short span of one and half month, said Zulfiqar Ali Kharl, Commissioner PESSI. Addressing the business community during his maiden visit to the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FCCI), he said that this was his first visit to any chamber of commerce, as he fully recognizes the economic importance of Faisalabad in terms of its workforce and industrial contribution. He said that PESSI is fulfilling its tripartite responsibilities in collaboration with industrialists, workers, and the department, with the fundamental objective of ensuring the welfare and prosperity of workers. The Commissioner stated that when the new team PESSI assumed charge, the ration card initiative had commenced, which temporarily slowed down worker registrations; however, the process would soon be accelerated soon. Referring to the Social Security Hospital in Madina Town, he informed that most of its equipment and machinery had become obsolete. The government has now procured new equipment worth Rs. 1.5 billion, which is expected to be delivered immediately after Ramadan. “It will significantly improve the hospital’s performance”, he said and added that new ambulances would also be provided very soon. He said that secured industrial workers should first visit dispensaries, and only those suffering from complicated illnesses should be referred to hospitals to reduce the burden on tertiary healthcare facilities. He added that direct estimates for medicines have been obtained from dispensaries to ensure that patients receive required medicines at the dispensary level, eliminating the need to visit hospitals unnecessarily. Speaking about the establishment of a burn unit, he remarked that it is a highly specialized facility; however efforts are being made to provide this treatment to the needy patients through government hospitals. He also appreciated the role of the Advisory Board of the Social Security Hospital and stated that efforts would be made to include Faisalabad’s industrialists in its governing body. Earlier, Senior Vice President FCCI, Naveed Akram Sheikh, welcomed the Commissioner and stated that FCCI ranks among the top three chambers of commerce in Pakistan, with approximately 22,000 members and more than 100 affiliated trades, sectors and sub sectors. He expressed concern that although Faisalabad is a major industrial city with over two million workers, only 150,000 workers are currently registered with Social Security. He emphasized that the social security contributions collected from Faisalabad rightfully belong to its workers and should be spent transparently for their welfare. He also proposed regular consultative meetings with industrialists to address issues in a timely manner. During the interactive session, Executive Members Muhammad Ali, Sanaullah Niazi, Rana Talib Hussain, Chaudhry Talat Mahmood, and Shahid Ahmed Sheikh participated in a question-and-answer session. Later, Executive Member Waheed Khaliq Ramay thanked the guests, while Senior Vice President Naveed Akram Sheikh decorated commissioner PESSI with a collar pin to mark the golden jubilee celebration of FCCI. He also presented a commemorative shield to Zulfiqar Ali Kharl. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026