Businesses will not be harassed: PM aide

Adviser says unnecessary FIRs, freezing of accounts must be avoided Prime Minister's Adviser on Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan Prime Minister's Adviser on Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan has said that strengthening the industrial sector, attracting new investment, increasing exports and providing a conducive business environment are essential for sustainable economic growth. He said the government was working with the business community to promote industrial development, facilitate businesses, create employment opportunities and remove unnecessary hurdles. Addressing a meeting at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Khan said the business community was playing a fundamental role in the national economy and policies must be designed to build investor confidence and support the growth of industry and trade. He said the government was working on industrial policy and regulatory reforms to protect businesses from harassment, unnecessary inspections and unwarranted official action. He stressed that the unnecessary use of FIRs in business-related matters and measures such as freezing of business accounts should be avoided, while transparency and due process must be ensured in legal proceedings. The adviser stressed that government institutions should adopt a cooperative approach towards the business community. He added that the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and other relevant departments must consider the importance of business growth alongside revenue collection as a strong business sector contributed to employment generation, investment and economic stability. Speaking on the occasion, LCCI President Ali Hussam Asghar said that although the business community was playing a vital role in economic development, traders and industrialists often faced difficulties due to the discretionary powers and actions of government departments. He clarified that the Lahore Chamber was not opposed to the enforcement of laws and regulations; however, harassment of businesspeople and the registration of FIRs over minor violations were detrimental to commercial and industrial activities. Asghar proposed that fines and corrective measures should be preferred over FIRs for minor violations. He also called for giving advance notices and reasonable time to businesses to rectify environmental compliance issues, which would ensure that regulations were enforced without unnecessarily disrupting business operations. LCCI Senior Vice President Sardar Usman Ghani said strong relations between the government and business community were essential for economic progress. He emphasised that the private sector should be consulted during policymaking and obstacles hindering business activities must be removed.