Karachi, September 6, 2025
The leadership of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) has stressed the importance of the Pak-Iran gas pipeline, describing it as a catalyst for Pakistan’s industrial growth and economic revival. The remarks were made during an emergency press conference on Defence Day at the FPCCI Head Office in Karachi.
The press conference was addressed by Mir Alauddin Marri, former Chief Minister of Balochistan; Abdul Mohamin Khan, Vice President and Regional Chairman Sindh, FPCCI; Mian Zahid Hussain, Chairman, Policy Advisory Board, FPCCI; Nasir Khan, Vice President, FPCCI; and Asif Inam, former Chairman APTMA. The speakers highlighted the significance of energy, banking, and governance reforms in steering Pakistan towards economic stability.
Mir Alauddin Marri welcomed the long-awaited establishment of the Bank of Balochistan, noting that the initiative had materialized after 12 years of struggle. He termed it a “window of opportunities” for the people of Balochistan, enabling livelihood support, business credit facilities, and investment inflows. He praised President Asif Ali Zardari’s role in advancing the Pak-Iran gas pipeline project, which has brought gas to Pakistan’s border, though the country has yet to lay its portion of the pipeline.
Addressing security and governance challenges in Balochistan, Marri said that insurgency and terrorism stem from poor governance. He urged the provincial government to adopt concrete strategies for improvement, emphasizing that the law-and-order crisis had prevented the province from reaping benefits of CPEC, its strategic geography, and its vast mining potential. He also underlined the urgent need for technological advancement in mineral exploration and refining facilities to reduce losses.
On national security, Marri remarked that economic strength was essential for defense. He urged the government to provide the business community space to operate freely, pointing out that the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) was already playing a vital role in enabling businesses. He noted that Balochistan’s annual budget stood at Rs. 150 billion, while revenues were only Rs. 31 billion. The newly approved Bank of Balochistan, with SIFC’s support, is expected to attract much-needed investment.
Nasir Khan, Vice President FPCCI, called for a broad-based consultative process to address Pakistan’s economic challenges. He criticized the inclusion of “bogus businessmen” in policy meetings, warning that such practices discourage genuine business leaders. He added that investment was fleeing the country, not entering it, and pointed to the gradual exit of multinational firms like Microsoft as a symptom of deeper economic issues.
Mian Zahid Hussain, Chairman of FPCCI’s Policy Advisory Board, noted the historic coincidence of Defence Day and Eid Milad-un-Nabi falling on the same day, calling it a “positive sign”. He highlighted trade challenges, mentioning that Indian exports face a 50% tariff while Pakistan faces a 19% tariff from the United States. He urged the creation of a more favorable business environment to seize global opportunities, assuring that FPCCI was ready to play its role.
Abdul Mohamin Khan, Vice President and Regional Chairman Sindh, FPCCI, emphasized the need for urgent reforms, calling for the electricity tariff to be reduced to 9 cents and the interest rate to 6 percent to support industrial growth.
The speakers collectively underscored that the Pak-Iran gas pipeline, improved governance, favorable investment policies, and banking reforms such as the Bank of Balochistan are critical to reviving Pakistan’s economy and ensuring national stability.
