Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) leading a delegation held a meeting with the Caretaker Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar and presented their proposals to revive the economy.

Addressing the delegation, Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar ul Haq Kakar said that solving the issues of the business community is among the top priorities of his government. He welcomed the proposals of the ICCI delegation and assured the implementation of feasible proposals among them.

The Prime Minister said that soon after assuming the duties of the Prime Minister, he started holding meetings with the business community so that steps can be taken to solve their problems. He said that despite the current economic conditions of the country, the business community is playing its important role in the development of the country's economy as well as providing employment opportunities. He said that the government is ensuring reforms in the tax system for which the tax system is being digitized. He said that unless the tax collection in Pakistan increases, the improvement of the country's economy is not possible. He informed the delegation that an operation has been started across the country, especially in the border areas, to prevent smuggling. He said that crackdowns have been done during the last 48 years to prevent smuggling, and positive results of this move are being received. He said that the neighboring countries have also welcomed the operation against smuggling. He said that by restoring the confidence of businessmen, industrialists and investors, the government will further stabilize the country's economy. He said that the process of reforms in the electricity sector is going on rapidly and strong action will be taken against the power theft.

The Prime Minister said that consultation with all the stakeholders is necessary to solve the country's problems and issued instructions to the Ministry of Commerce to start consultation with the Chambers of commerce across the country to get the input of the business community for revival of economy. He directed the concerned authorities to submit an early report regarding the expansion of the scope of point of sales of FBR. He said that the performance of commercial attachés posted in Pakistani embassies will be improved. He stressed that the CDA performance should be improved and the business community should be made a part of the consultation process. He said that CDA should digitize all the facilities provided to citizens and land records. Secretary Commerce, Secretary Industries, Chairman FBR, Chairman CDA and relevant senior officials were also present on the occasion.

Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that the business community will fully cooperate with the government in efforts to revive the economy. He congratulated Anwaar ul Haq Kakar on assuming the charge of Prime Minister and briefed him about the key issues of the business community with proposals to their solution.

Faad Waheed Senior Vice President, Engr. Azhar ul Islam Zafar Vice President ICCI, Group Leader Khalid Iqbal Malik, Zafar Bakhtawari, Mian Akram Farid, Muhammad Ejaz Abbasi, Khalid Javed, Tariq Sadiq, Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan and others were included in the ICCI delegation.