Business Recorder
LAHORE: Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan has underscored that sustainable industrial growth can only be achieved when the government actively engages all stakeholders in the policymaking process. He stressed that decisions made without a thorough understanding of ground realities consistently fail to produce long-term results, adding that many past economic challenges stemmed from this very gap. He made it clear that the current government is now firmly committed to inclusive and consultative policymaking. The Governor expressed these views during a meeting with a delegation from the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), led by President Faheem Ur Rehman Saigol, at the Governor House. The Governor commended the business community for sustaining investments despite prevailing economic difficulties, describing it as a genuine expression of patriotism. He assured the delegation that the government remains fully committed to resolving the concerns of industrialists and pledged to convey their grievances to the relevant higher authorities without delay. LCCI President Faheem Ur Rehman Saigol thanked the Governor for the prompt response from the Governor House, stating that it reflects the government’s seriousness in addressing business community issues. He highlighted that over 1,400 industries operating in areas such as Saggian, Ferozepur Road, Multan Road, and Raiwind Road are currently at serious risk due to high commercialization fees and administrative hurdles. He urged the government to formally declare these localities as industrial zones and substantially reduce the associated fees to ensure the survival of business activities and safeguard hundreds of thousands of jobs. On the industrial relocation plan, the LCCI President stressed that private sector participation is indispensable and that no policy can succeed without the confidence and input of industrialists. He also drew attention to the real estate sector, describing it as a driving force connected to more than 40 allied industries, and called for special incentives to revive investment in this area. Responding to concerns about industrial relocation from within the city, the Governor acknowledged that while the process is challenging, it must be carried out gradually and through consultation rather than coercion. He recommended that the government provide alternative land, infrastructure, and financial incentives to facilitate a smooth and disruption-free transition. He concluded by expressing confidence that the real estate sector is already showing positive signs of recovery and that further supportive measures are expected in the upcoming budget. The delegation comprised Senior Vice President Tanveer Iqbal Ahmad Sheikh, Vice President Khurram Lodhi, SAARC Chamber Vice President Mian Anjum Nisar, and several Executive Committee Members, including Waqas Aslam, Aamir Saeed Mian, Firdous Nisar, Ahsan Shahid, Amna Randhawa, Shouban Akhtar, Iftikhar Ahmad, Karamat Ali Awan, Umar Sarfaraz, Irfan Qureshi, Ali Imran, Zain Elahi, Mohsin Bashir, Abdul Majeed, and Syed Hassan Raza. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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