The leadership of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) has welcomed the decision of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to re-evaluate and hold in abeyance the property valuation table issued on December 8, 2025 for District Islamabad, terming it a timely and business-friendly step.
ICCI President Sardar Tahir Mehmood, while talking to various visiting delegations from industry, trade and the real estate sector here on Tuesday, said that the suspended valuation table reflected values many times higher than the actual market rates, which had created panic and uncertainty among the business community as well as residents of the federal capital.
He appreciated the intervention of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Federal Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, and Chairman FBR Rashid Mahmood Langrial, saying that their timely action was taken in the best economic interest of the country and helped restore confidence among investors and stakeholders.
The ICCI President recalled that the controversial notification was vehemently rejected during a hugely attended press conference on Monday evening, following a consultative session of representatives from all business sectors, industry, the real estate sector and citizens of Islamabad. He said the business community had even announced a sit-in in front of the FBR on December 22, 2025, had the notification not been withdrawn. He also demanded the calling back of the SRO in toto instead of holding in abeyance.
Sardar Tahir Mehmood emphasized that the latest decision of the FBR clearly demonstrates that constructive engagement and unity of the business community can lead to positive and practical outcomes. He urged traders and industrialists to remain united for the attainment of a true ease-of-doing-business environment, which he said is vital for economic stability and sustainable growth.
He further expressed confidence that all policies and decisions affecting businesses would henceforth be made in close consultation with the business community, which he termed the real engine of Pakistan’s economy. He added that consultative policymaking would help restore confidence, encourage investment and broaden the tax base.
On the occasion, Senior Vice President Tahir Ayub and Vice President Irfan Chaudhry also expressed satisfaction over the decision to hold the notification in abeyance. They hoped that not only the FBR but also the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and other relevant government agencies would ensure that all future decisions are taken keeping in view ground realities and genuine concerns of the business community.
They reaffirmed ICCI’s commitment to continue playing its effective advocacy role for safeguarding legitimate business interests and promoting policies that support investment, employment generation and overall economic revival of the country.