Nasir Mansoor Qureshi, President of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), once again passionately urged the leadership of all political parties to set aside their differences and egos. He called for a unified approach, stressing the urgent need for collaboration in order to find practical solutions to the country’s pressing challenges. His appeal focused on the importance of a collective effort to navigate Pakistan out of its current economic turmoil and set it on a sustainable path toward long-term prosperity.

Citing figures provided by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Qureshi highlighted the severe economic repercussions of frequent road closures and shutdowns across the country. According to the data, Pakistan incurs a staggering daily loss of Rs. 190 billion due to these disruptions, which are triggered by a variety of reasons. This, in turn, negatively impacts tax collections and exacerbates the already fragile export sector. Qureshi further pointed out that the country’s business community is deeply concerned about the lack of a conducive environment for doing business, driven by several factors stemming from government policies. He emphasized that the ongoing shutdowns are only intensifying the difficulties faced by businesses. He urged all stakeholders to shift their mindset and commit to long-term, well-crafted economic policies that focus on the future of the nation’s youth—the real stakeholders who will lead the country in the coming years.

He concluded by stressing that now is the time for the nation to place its motherland above all else, recognizing that Pakistan was founded through the immense sacrifices of our forefathers. Qureshi underscored the importance of acknowledging these sacrifices and honoring their legacy by working together for the collective betterment and prosperity of the country.