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LAHORE, Nov 02 (APP):SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry former President Iftikhar Ali Malik on Sunday urged the government to revisit its industrial policy to ensure a level playing field for all industries, stressing that sustainable and inclusive economic growth depends on fairness, consistency, and competitiveness in policymaking.
In a statement issued here, the trade leader appreciated the government’s ongoing efforts toward macroeconomic stability and reforms but emphasized that the true measure of success lies in improving the ease of doing business, enhancing exports, and strengthening industrial linkages.
He said that a restructured, equitable, and inclusive economic framework would not only promote balanced regional development but also help Pakistan achieve self-reliance, resilience, and social prosperity. “Global economic trends demand greater integration of domestic industries with international markets, and Pakistan must realign its policies accordingly,” he added.
Iftikhar Ali Malik underscored that policy continuity, reduction in the cost of doing business, and elimination of discriminatory treatment among industrial sectors are essential to attract sustainable investment and boost employment opportunities. He said that fair competition, transparency, and consistent policies are key to restoring investor confidence and attracting both local and foreign investment.
He pointed out that Pakistan’s industrial sector possesses immense potential; however, uneven incentives, bureaucratic hurdles, and inconsistent taxation frameworks continue to hinder productivity and competitiveness. He stressed the need for uniform policies that promote innovation, modernization, and export diversification for long-term stability.
Highlighting the pivotal role of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), he called for measures such as easy access to credit, tax relief, and technology transfer programs to support their growth.
The former SAARC president reiterated that the private sector stands ready to partner with the government in reform initiatives, provided policies remain stable, predictable, and free from favoritism. He also cautioned that selective tax exemptions for factories operating in special zones have created market distortions, disadvantaging similar industries outside those zones, an issue that, he said, warrants urgent government attention.