New industrial policy soon: Haroon

FAISALABAD: Haroon Akhtar Khan, special assistant to prime minister on industries and production, has announced that a new industrial policy aimed at elevating Pakistan into the world’s top 20 economies will soon be unveiled.

He made these remarks while representing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FCCI). He emphasized the government commitment to resolving the issues faced by Faisalabad’s industrial sector and assured that serious efforts were underway to address their challenges.

Speaking at the event, FCCI President Rehan Naseem Bharara highlighted the need to strengthen the economy following the successful completion of Operation Banyanum Marsoos. He proposed the establishment of a modern airport in a nearby area to provide facilities to foreign professionals working in the industrial zones developed by FIEDMC (Faisalabad Industrial Estate Development and Management Company). Additionally, he stressed the need for a cargo complex in Faisalabad to handle up to 25,000 tons of exports annually. He also called for the establishment of a passport office on the FCCI premises for the convenience of its members and demanded the expansion of the Pindi Bhattian-Faisalabad Motorway to six lanes.

Former FPCCI president Muhammad Idrees noted that people were willing to pay taxes, but they must be protected from harassment by government departments. He proposed that issuing licences could help curb such issues.

During the Q&A session, Mian Latif, Arif Ehsan, Waheed Khaliq, Ayub Aslam and others shared their views.

Earlier, Haroon Akhtar cut a ceremonial cake to mark the FCCI’s Golden Jubilee and celebrate the success of Operation Banyanum Marsoos.