Urgent Reforms on Energy, Taxes and Ease of Doing Business Vital: LCCI President

By Dr Ansab Ali
Lahore
LAHORE: Faheem ur Rehman Saigol, President of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), has called for immediate and comprehensive reforms in energy pricing, taxation structure, and ease of doing business to safeguard Pakistan’s industrial sector and enhance its global competitiveness.
He expressed these views during a meeting with former President of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), Shariq Vohra, who visited the LCCI to discuss pressing economic challenges confronting the business community.
Saigol emphasized that the continuous rise in energy tariffs, particularly electricity rates, is severely eroding industrial profitability and undermining export competitiveness. He stressed the urgent need to:
Control and rationalize escalating energy costs
Streamline and simplify the taxation regime
Substantially improve the overall ease of doing business (EoDB) environment
He pointed out that reducing production costs and eliminating unnecessary regulatory hurdles are essential prerequisites for strengthening Pakistan’s industrial base, increasing exports, and attracting both domestic and foreign investment.
The meeting also focused on critical issues such as:
The mounting circular debt in the energy sector
Challenges related to the export of skilled labour
The adverse impact of high electricity pricing on manufacturing
Saigol highlighted the importance of stronger inter-chamber collaboration between major business bodies such as the LCCI and KCCI. He advocated for joint, practical policy recommendations that could be presented to the government to promote industrial growth and create a genuinely investor-friendly ecosystem.
Shariq Vohra, in his remarks, underscored the necessity of unified and collaborative strategies among chambers of commerce to effectively represent and protect the interests of the business community. He stressed that only through such coordinated efforts can sustainable industrial development and long-term economic stability be achieved.
Muhammad Asif Sheikh, Group Head of the Pakistan Polymer Recycling Association, was also present during the discussion.
Concluding the meeting, LCCI President Faheem ur Rehman Saigol reiterated that coordinated efforts among business chambers, meaningful policy reforms, and targeted financial relief measures are indispensable for:
Improving the overall business climate
Enhancing industrial productivity
Positioning Pakistan as an attractive and competitive destination for investment and trade
Both leaders agreed that swift action on these fronts is critical to reversing industrial slowdown, supporting export-led growth, and restoring confidence among local and international investors.