PESHAWAR, Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry urged the federal government to address concerns of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa traders’ over the prolonged closure of Torkham border, illegal ban on wheat movement from Punjab, imposition of taxes on ex-FATA/PATA and delay in payment of Sales Tax refund and others.
These aforesaid concerns taken up by Mr Junaid Altaf, President of the chamber during a meeting with Federal Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi at the sideline of the Pakistan Economic Summit 2026 hosted by United Business Group (UBG) in collaboration with Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) in Islamabad, said in a press release here on Saturday.
Meeting was attended by SCCI’s Senior Vice President Muhammad Nadeem, UBG Patron in Chief S.M Tanveer, UBG Secretary General and former president of the chamber Haji Muhammad Afzal, members of the executive committee Ziaul Haq Sarhadi and Ashfaq Ahmad, and others.
President Junaid Altaf stressed unity and harmony between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan and proposed formation of a joint committee to address the issues faced by businessmen and people of these provinces.
He said the proposed body would jointly raise issues effectively at the central level.
The SCCI chief emphasized the need for early resolution of issues, being confronted by the two provinces.
President Junaid Altaf apprised the Federal Minister Mohsin Naqvi regarding the current situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa after imposing illegal and unconstitutional ban on movement of wheat from Punjab to K-P, calling for immediate lifting the restrictions.
The chamber president also stressed improvement in policy and facilitation to boost trade and economic activities in the region.
President Junaid Altaf took up the KP concerns over lack of representation in federal board and policymaking institutions, resultantly, businessmen of the province unaware about decision and policies at the central level.
Therefore, he urged to ensure effective representation of the KP in all board and decision-making institutions.
The SCCI chief also emphasized special initiatives for promotion of tourism and encouraging investment in this crucial sector.
Federal Minister Mohsin Naqvi on the occasion, assured a meeting in Peshawar to discuss issues faced by Businessmen of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The sitting aims to share proposals for early redressal of the business community concerns and issues.
