SCCI chief vows to protect business community rights

PESHAWAR: The newly elected president of the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) Fazal Muqeem Khan vowed to protect the rights of the business community as he spelt out priorities on Monday for his next two-year tenure.

He held out the assurance during his address at the annual general meeting of the chamber. The meeting was attended by outgoing office bearers of the chamber Fuad Ishaq, Sanaullah Khan, Ejaz Khan Afridi, newly elected Senior Vice-President Abdul Jalil Jan, Vice President Shehryar Khan, members of the Election Commission, former presidents and newly elected executive committee members, traders, industrialists and shopkeepers.

Fazal Muqeem stated that he believed in selfless service to the business community. “ The doors of the chamber will always remain open for business community members,” he added. The newly elected president opposed the increase in the rate of taxes and called for reforms to broaden existing tax base and remove the hurdles in the way of sales and income tax refunds. He demanded a review of tariffs of electricity, gas and prices of petroleum products.

Fazal Muqeem saluted the business community for remaining steadfast despite unfavorable conditions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, adding that relief to the war-affected business community was amongst his topmost priorities.

He assured the policies would be crafted in consultation with traders and industrialists. He promised to take all chambers on board to stabilize the provincial economy.The SCCI chief vowed to initiate efforts to strengthen trade with neighbouring countries as well as Central Asian Republics.

He thanked the business community for electing candidates for the Businessman Forum with a majority in the SCCI election and assured of coming up to the expectations of the business community. Fazal Muqeem reiterated the resolve to leave no stone unturned in resolution of the business community issues. The Businessman Forum leader Ghazanfar Bilour addressed the event and lauded the services of the outgoing office-bearers of the chamber.