ICCI- media collaboration vital to unlock country’s economic potential
ISLAMABAD: The vital role of media in shaping society by keeping the public informed, analyzing significant events, and ensuring accountability of authorities was emphasized by Nasir Mehmood Chaudhry, Acting Senior Vice President of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), during an interactive session with journalists at the Chamber House in Islamabad.Pakistan fully prepared for holding of ICC Champions Trophy: Chairman PCB
Chaudhry highlighted the power of investigative journalism to uncover hidden truths, spark public discourse, and drive meaningful legal and social reforms for the betterment of society. He pointed out that the business community is currently grappling with several challenges, including bureaucratic red tape, regulatory inefficiencies, and economic obstacles that hinder business operations and growth. These issues, he noted, not only restrict business expansion but also negatively affect the broader national economy. He urged the media to shed light on these challenges persistently, ensuring policymakers are compelled to address them promptly. Chaudhry also stressed the importance of enhancing collaboration between the media and ICCI to tackle these issues more effectively.
Zafar Bakhtawari, former ICCI President and Secretary General of the United Business Group, shared his optimism about the government’s ongoing economic initiatives, asserting that these measures are expected to stabilize the national economy. He further encouraged the media to showcase success stories of business leaders, inspiring young individuals to pursue entrepreneurship and contribute to job creation instead of solely seeking employment.
Acting Vice President of ICCI, Chaudhry Nadeem Ahmed, underscored the media’s critical role in promoting accountability, particularly in addressing instances of power abuse within government institutions. He stressed that such issues erode public trust and have far-reaching economic consequences. Ahmed also highlighted the significant challenges faced by local industries that impede their growth and called on the media to advocate for solutions that support economic development.
Naeem Siddiqui, Special Advisor to the ICCI President, expressed concerns over inefficiencies within the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). He criticized its practice of making unilateral decisions without consulting business leaders, arguing that such actions harm businesses and create unnecessary barriers to their development.
The session concluded with a shared commitment to strengthen ties between the media and ICCI. Both parties acknowledged the importance of collaboration to address business-related challenges and contribute to sustainable economic growth and prosperity.
In his welcome address, Ghulam Murtaza Siddiqui, Secretary General of the ICCI, praised the media for its vital role as a pillar of the state.
