Senior leaders of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) have voiced strong reservations over proposed changes to the Trade Organization Rules (TORs) 2013, cautioning that the amendments could undermine the country’s trade body system and negatively affect district-level economies.
FPCCI President Atif Ikram Sheikh stated that the proposed legislation had unsettled the business community across the country.
“The business environment is already shaky due to internal and external trade barriers and pressures. Chambers of Commerce are the last resort for the business community to raise their voice.
The proposed legislation will eliminate district-level chambers, destroy institutional structures, and devastate district economies,” he said in a statement on Wednesday.
He highlighted the important role district chambers play in strengthening local economies and supporting national economic progress.
“Any restriction on trade organisations could exclude export-oriented businesses from representation. The amendment will demoralise the business community and discourage SMEs and women-led businesses.”
Senior Vice President Saquib Fayyaz Magoon also warned that sudden alterations to the current framework could lead to the shutdown of several representative trade bodies nationwide.
“Chambers of Commerce and Industry are the principal platforms through which the business community collectively raises its concerns and contributes to policy advocacy,” he said.
He further noted that limiting trade bodies to municipal city boundaries would leave out industrial zones, SME clusters in tehsils, and rural export-focused enterprises from adequate representation.
“Such amendments will dismantle district chambers, undermine years of institutional development, and adversely affect local economies—particularly women entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprises,” he said.
The industrialists have called on lawmakers to review the proposed amendments and safeguard the functioning of district chambers.
