Economy and Industrial Growth Take Centre Stage as More Trade Groups Join PIAF

By M.Shahzad Lahore, Pakistan – February 8, 2026 — A high-profile luncheon hosted at Sunder Industrial Estate brought together industrialists from key sectors including chemicals, pharmaceuticals, packaging, automotive, plastics and allied industries to discuss operational challenges, policy reforms and strategies for accelerating economic and export growth.
The event, coordinated and hosted by Ban Rashid CEO Moazzam Rasheed, was held in honour of senior business leader Mian Anjum Nisar (Chairman Pakistan Industrial and Traders Associations Front – PIAF) and Faheemur Rehman Saigol (President Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry).
Representatives from diverse industrial sectors highlighted persistent issues affecting competitiveness and growth:
High production costs
Energy shortages and unreliable supply
Export bottlenecks and procedural delays
Regulatory inconsistencies and complex taxation regime
Participants presented practical, sector-specific recommendations to be incorporated into upcoming federal and provincial budget proposals. They stressed that predictable, consistent and industry-friendly government policies are essential for sustained industrial expansion, employment generation and improved export performance.
Industry leaders expressed strong confidence in the leadership of Mian Anjum Nisar and PIAF, pledging full cooperation to resolve sectoral challenges collaboratively. The pharmaceutical sector, in particular, was noted for its relatively encouraging export performance in recent years despite national export constraints. Speakers called for targeted policy support, skill development, infrastructure investment and regulatory streamlining to sustain and scale up growth in high-potential sectors.
Mian Anjum Nisar and Faheemur Rehman Saigol urged active participation of industry representatives in relevant committees, timely submission of actionable proposals, and continuous engagement with policymakers to shape long-term, sustainable business and economic policies.
The Lahore Chamber reaffirmed its commitment to serve as a bridge between industry and government, providing regular input to help design investor-friendly and export-oriented frameworks.
The luncheon was attended by a large delegation of prominent industrialists and trade leaders, including:
Senior PIAF Vice Chairman Nasrullah Mughal
Senior Vice President Lahore Chamber Tanveer Ahmed Sheikh
Former Lahore Chamber President Muhammad Ali Mian
Former PADMAC President Nabeel Hashnami
Executive Committee member Irfan Ahmed Qureshi
And other notable figures: Iftikhar Bashir Choudhry, Mudsar Masood, Sheikh Abdul Sattar Khajo, Junaid Afzal, Taufiq Sherwani, Ziaullah Khan, Muhammad Naseem, former Chairman Hamid Raza, Waqas Mughal, Dr. Ajmal Mian, Dr. Azeer Nagira, Chaudhry Imtiaz, M. Saleem, Shahid Akhtar, Faisal Zaman, M. Arshad, Faisal Ghafoor, Zeeshan Zia, Imran Khan, Amir Khan, Dr. Abid Bhatti, Colonel (R) Farhan, Asim Mansoor, M. Athar, M. Wasim, Ghulam Abbas Bassi, Shabbir Ahmed, Dr. Abdul Sattar, Abida Abbas, Naveed Ahmed, Norina Manzar, Asia Raza, Yasir Mansoor
The gathering concluded with a renewed collective commitment to strengthen coordination between government and industry, integrate industrial concerns into economic planning and budget-making, attract investment, enhance competitiveness and ensure sustainable growth across Pakistan’s key manufacturing and export-oriented sectors.