LAHORE
\nThe Pakistan Industrial and Traders Associations Front (PIAF) has welcomed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif\u2019s assurance of relief-oriented measures in the upcoming Budget 2026-27, while urging the government to ensure practical implementation of business-friendly policies to support industry, exports, and employment generation.
\nIn a statement issued after consultations with representatives of trade bodies and industrial sectors, PIAF Chairman Faheemur Rehman Saigol, who is also President of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry, appreciated the government\u2019s commitment to an export-led growth strategy and efforts aimed at expanding the tax base and formalising the informal economy.
\nHe said that the business community had taken note of the Prime Minister\u2019s assurance that the upcoming budget would include measures to provide relief to the public and promote industrial expansion.
\nHowever, he stressed that repeated policy announcements must now translate into concrete relief on the ground, particularly in the areas of energy pricing, taxation, and liquidity support.
\nFaheemur Rehman Saigol said that Pakistan\u2019s industrial sector continues to face significant structural challenges, including high electricity tariffs, rising input costs, delayed refunds, and complex regulatory procedures.
\nHe noted that without addressing these fundamental issues, it would be difficult to achieve the government\u2019s targets of export expansion and employment creation.
\nHe acknowledged the government\u2019s focus on strengthening infrastructure, digital transformation, and improving logistics connectivity, including upgrades to motorways, freight corridors, and railway lines.
\nHe said these initiatives would play a positive role in reducing transportation costs and improving the competitiveness of Pakistani goods in regional and global markets.
\nPIAF also welcomed reforms aimed at improving tax administration, including the establishment of special commercial courts and reforms in tax tribunals for faster resolution of disputes.
\nFaheem Saigol said that timely resolution of tax-related issues is essential to restore investor confidence and improve cash flow for businesses.
\nThe PIAF chairman appreciated steps taken to promote digital payments and a documented economy, calling them necessary for long-term economic stability and transparency.
\nHowever, they emphasized that such reforms must be implemented gradually and with consultation to avoid unnecessary burden on small traders and SMEs.
\nVice Chairman Tahir Manzoor Chaudhry and Senior Vice Chairman Nasrullah Mughal said that while the government\u2019s vision for industrial revival and export-led growth is encouraging, the private sector requires consistency in policies and immediate relief in operational costs to remain competitive.
\nThey pointed out that reduced electricity tariffs for industry and the abolition of certain levies are positive steps, but stressed that energy costs remain a major concern.
\nThey urged the government to continue rationalizing power tariffs and ensure uninterrupted supply to industrial zones.
\nPIAF leaders also highlighted the importance of improving access to finance for small and medium enterprises, saying that SMEs are the backbone of Pakistan\u2019s economy and play a vital role in job creation. They called for easier credit facilities, lower interest rates, and simplified loan procedures to support business expansion.
\nFaheem Saigol said that PIAF remains committed to cooperating with the government in achieving sustainable economic growth.
\nThe organization expressed hope that the upcoming budget would reflect ground realities and provide meaningful relief to the industrial and trading community while supporting long-term economic stability and export growth.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
LAHORE The Pakistan Industrial and Traders Associations Front (PIAF) has welcomed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif\u2019s assurance of relief-oriented measures in the upcoming Budget 2026-27, while urging the government to ensure practical implementation of business-friendly policies to support industry, exports, and employment generation. In a statement issued after consultations with representatives of trade bodies and industrial […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-550095","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","category-business"],"yoast_head":"\n