ICCI seeks removal of encroachments, up gradation of market on urgent basis

ISLAMABAD, Nov 03 (APP): President Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), Mohammad Zikria Akbar Zia, has assured the leadership and business community of Islamabad Fruit & Vegetable Market of the chamber’s full support in resolving their longstanding issues, emphasizing that the protection of traders’ businesses and livelihoods remains a top priority.

Addressing a joint delegation of the Fruit & Vegetable Market I-11/1 he appreciated the unity, commitment and hard work of market representatives and acknowledged their vital role in ensuring an uninterrupted supply of fresh fruits and vegetables to Islamabad and adjoining areas.

The ICCI President expressed concern over the difficulties faced by the traders and highlighted concerns regarding basic facilities, including sanitation, streetlights, footpaths, market infrastructure and especially the encroachments, as well as apprehensions about any proposed relocation of the market.

He stressed that the livelihoods of hundreds of businesses and thousands of people associated with the market must be protected, adding that the chamber would actively take up these matters with the concerned authorities and pursue their early resolution.

Highlighting the export potential of Pakistan’s agricultural sector, Mohammad Zikria Akbar Zia said that fruits and vegetables, particularly Pakistani Kinnow, have considerable demand in international markets, including Russia.

He proposed capacity-building programmes for market traders, greater participation of their representatives in international trade delegations, improved packaging and supply-chain standards, and exploration of new export destinations to enable a wider segment of the business community to benefit from international trade opportunities.

Speaking on the occasion, President of the Fruit and Vegetable Association Babu Aleem thanked the ICCI President for his timely intervention and support in taking up the market’s concerns with the relevant authorities.

He said that the market was one of the largest wholesale fruit and vegetable markets in Pakistan, comprising over 600 business establishments and serving Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and several districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

He added that millions of livelihoods were directly or indirectly linked to its commercial activities.

Former Senior Vice President ICCI and Secretary General of the Association Tahir Ayub expressed serious concern over the neglect of the market by CDA despite the traders regularly paying substantial property taxes and water conservation charges.

He urged the authorities to clarify the utilization of funds, resolve administrative jurisdictional issues between CDA and the Market Committee, restore encroached or diverted market land, and ensure that the market’s wholesale status and legitimate commercial interests were protected.

He called for a comprehensive development plan covering improved roads, drainage, sanitation, water supply, parking facilities, modern auction grounds and cold-storage infrastructure, in line with international standards.

He also sought the ICCI leadership’s intervention regarding land being used by unrelated entities, including Northern Areas Transport Company (NATCO).

ICCI Senior Vice President Mohammad Ashfaq Hussain Chtha emphahised the need for unity among the ranks of the community for the resolution of the problems and chalking out a consensus course of action for the needful by assuring that the Chamber’s leadership was determined for the availability f the ease of doing business atmosphere.