The devastating floods have adversely affected the revival of economy while government is busy to cope with the post flood situation. However, there is a dire need to ensure the continuance of all ongoing development projects so that economic growth may not come to a halt.
 
This was said by Mr.Zahid Maqbool, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ICCI) while chairing a meeting of traders and industrialists. He said that especially the pace of work for the establishment of I-17 sector should be accelerated to promote industrial growth in Islamabad.
 
He said that the existing industrial estates in I-9, I-10 and Kahuta Triangle have almost saturated due to which setting up of new industries have become a difficult proposition.
 
Mr.Zahid Maqbool said that Chairman CDA Mr. Imtiaz Inayat Elahi is also keen to develop new industrial estate in I-17 Sector. However, some legal issues are required to be solved for early completion of this project.
 
Businessmen said that at the time of establishment of I-9 and I-10 industrial estates, residential areas in these sectors were reserved for labor of industries. However, later on, under the influence of vested interests, plots in these residential areas were sold to citizens due to which providing accommodation to industrial labor has become a very costly.
 
They said that Supreme Court has now banned the operation of smoke emitting industries in industrial areas while industrialists are ready to comply with SC orders. However, they demanded for early completion of I-17 industrial estate so that they could shift their industries to that area.
 
ICCI President assured that Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry has been cooperating with CDA for establishment of new industrial estate and will continue to do so.