PESHAWAR: The Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) on Monday urged the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to formulate a comprehensive 10-year industrial policy and announce special incentives to promote business and industrialisation in the province.

The demand was made during a meeting at the Chamber House, attended by a delegation of provincial ministers and political leaders, led by former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser.

SCCI President Junaid Altaf called for stronger public-private partnerships and greater representation of the business community on provincial government boards. He also emphasised the need to strengthen the roles of the KP Board of Investment and Trade (KPBOIT) and the KP Economic Zones Development and Management Company (KP-EZDMC) in accelerating industrial development.

Mr Altaf highlighted the challenges faced by traders and industrialists, particularly those linked to federal departments, and urged the provincial government to address barriers to economic and trade activities.

Says border closures hurting Khyber Pakhtunkhwa economy; urges stronger public-private partnerships

He said that prolonged border closures and certain federal and provincial policies had negatively affected businesses in the province, describing trade routes as a lifeline for the local economy. He also announced plans for a major consultation session on economic growth in the provincial assembly.

Addressing participants, Mr Qaiser assured the business community that their concerns would be raised with both the provincial and federal governments and announced that a meeting between the SCCI delegation and Chief Minister Sohail Afridi would be arranged soon.

He said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had borne the impact of conflict and instability for decades and called for creating a level playing field and equal opportunities for businesses. He criticised the imposition of taxes in the merged districts and emphasised the need to operationalise the dry port and revive regional trade.

Mr Qaiser also called for dialogue to improve Pakistan-Afghanistan relations and expand trade with Afghanistan and the Central Asian states. He announced that a grand jirga on border issues and constitutional rights would be held on July 19.

Provincial ministers Mina Khan Afridi and Faisal Khan Tarakai assured the chamber leadership of steps to address traders’ concerns and proposed forming a joint working committee to coordinate with provincial and federal authorities.

Published in Dawn, June 23rd, 2026