FRIA Calls for Industrial Support and Balanced Taxation to Sustain Pakistan’s Economic Growth

By Muhammad Shahzad – Lahore, Pakistan

The Ferozepur Road Industrial Association (FRIA) has urged the Pakistani government to adopt a more facilitative and growth-oriented approach toward industry, warning that excessive taxation and punitive enforcement could undermine long-term economic stability.

FRIA Chairman Shahbaz Aslam, addressing industrial stakeholders in Lahore, said sustainable expansion of Pakistan’s manufacturing sector requires policies that help factories operate efficiently, modernize production and generate employment. “A thriving industrial base naturally broadens the tax net and strengthens the national economy. Growth, not pressure, is what increases revenue,” he said.

Aslam emphasized that simplified regulations, faster approvals and improved infrastructure are essential for industrial clusters along Ferozepur Road. He said industrial associations are prepared to work as development partners, helping the government identify operational bottlenecks, streamline compliance and boost productivity without resorting to measures that burden manufacturers.

Highlighting the need for a collaborative tax environment, Aslam called for transparent policies and incentives to encourage voluntary compliance. “Relying solely on enforcement weakens trust. A cooperative approach improves compliance and strengthens the overall tax base,” he noted.

The FRIA chairman urged policymakers to balance short-term fiscal demands with long-term industrial development, arguing that modernization, expansion and job creation are critical to Pakistan’s economic resilience and global competitiveness.

Aslam reaffirmed FRIA’s commitment to working with authorities to advance policies that support industrial growth while ensuring fiscal responsibility, enabling industries along Ferozepur Road to contribute more effectively to the country’s economic progress.