Lahore: Chairman Senate Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani has called for the implementation of consistent and business-friendly economic policies, urging stronger coordination between institutions and sustained engagement between Parliament and the business community to boost Pakistan’s economic development. Addressing the recently elected office bearers and members of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Gilani congratulated President Ali Hussam Asghar, Senior Vice President Sardar Usman Ghani, and Vice President Chaudhry Khadim Hussain on their election.
According to Senate of Pakistan, the Chairman acknowledged Lahore’s significant contributions to commerce, industry, and entrepreneurship, appreciating the business community’s role in employment generation and industrial development. Gilani noted that his visit aimed to address concerns including issues related to taxation, regulatory challenges, policy continuity, and the cost of doing business, all of which he deemed deserving of serious consideration.
Gilani emphasized the necessity for a thriving economy built on consistency, predictability, and confidence. He described the business community as a crucial partner in national development, advocating for mutual trust and consultation between the State and the business sector. He highlighted the importance of facilitating investment, strengthening industrial competitiveness, promoting exports, and creating sustainable employment opportunities.
Highlighting Parliament’s role, Gilani remarked on the Senate’s function as a platform for legislative and oversight activities, mentioning the Senate Standing Committees on Finance, Commerce, and Industries in examining economic challenges and fostering stakeholder engagement. He assured the business community of the Senate’s commitment to supporting a legislative and policy environment conducive to enterprise and advancing national economic priorities.
The Chairman encouraged LCCI to sustain active engagement with parliamentary institutions, suggesting that its practical experience and sector-specific insights could contribute to legislative deliberations and oversight. Concluding, Gilani stated that Pakistan’s economic future relies on the collective strength of its institutions, entrepreneurs, and people, with business prosperity generating employment and expanding opportunities. He called for collective efforts to build a stronger, fairer, and more productive economy.