Islamabad | ReNews Pakistan
The President of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), Sardar Tahir Mehmood, has said that the upcoming Federal Budget 2026 offers a crucial opportunity for the government to revive the economy, rebuild investor confidence, and put Pakistan on a sustainable growth path.
Speaking at a press conference at the Chamber House on Friday, he said the purpose of the briefing was to present the business community’s proposals and expectations to policymakers so that a more business-friendly, investment-driven and growth-oriented budget could be formulated.
He highlighted that changing global and regional conditions, particularly tensions in the Middle East, have created new investment trends. In this situation, many overseas Pakistanis are considering alternative destinations for investment. He urged the government to take advantage of this situation by offering incentives such as tax rebates and tax holidays to attract overseas Pakistani investors.
Sardar Tahir Mehmood appreciated certain government measures aimed at providing relief to the public, including subsidies for motorcyclists, but expressed concern over the sharp increase in petroleum prices. He said higher fuel costs have placed an additional burden on citizens, increased the cost of doing business, and are contributing to inflation across the economy. He called for urgent steps to reduce energy costs and support industry.
He emphasized that the real estate and construction sectors play a key role in the national economy, as they are linked with multiple industries including cement, steel, electrical goods, and transport, while also generating large-scale employment. He stressed the need for a transparent, simple, and investor-friendly policy framework to revive growth in this sector.
He further noted that the Prime Minister has indicated a forthcoming package for the construction sector, and the business community expects it to be comprehensive and inclusive. According to him, such measures could help attract investment, particularly from GCC countries, which have shown strong interest in Pakistan’s market.
The ICCI President also proposed establishing special economic zones for overseas Pakistanis, promoting tourism through incentives and public-private partnerships, improving facilitation for IT exports and startups, and utilizing Pakistan’s mineral resources through investor-friendly policies.
He suggested introducing a one-window operation system for overseas investors to simplify procedures and reduce bureaucratic hurdles. He stressed that policy consistency, a simplified tax system, and business-friendly regulations are essential for restoring investor confidence.
Sardar Tahir Mehmood further said that key economic decisions should be made in consultation with chambers of commerce and business representatives rather than through unilateral policymaking, arguing that such collaboration would result in more practical and effective policies.
Reaffirming ICCI’s commitment, he said the chamber would continue working with the government and stakeholders to promote investment, economic stability, and business growth. He expressed hope that incorporating business community proposals into Budget 2026 would help strengthen the economy and position Pakistan more competitively in the region.
Several former ICCI presidents, executive members, and senior chamber representatives were also present at the event.

Islamabad | ReNews Pakistan
Pakistan and Chinese companies are moving forward with plans to expand bilateral investment under an existing memorandum of understanding (MoU), with a major focus on developing a 2,800-acre industrial and commercial project in Nooriabad..
The progress was reviewed during a high-level meeting chaired by Federal Minister for Board of Investment Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, who met with a delegation representing Kunlun Group and Oasis Group.
The delegation included Kunlun Group Chairman Xiong Xianglong and Executive Chen Meifen, along with Oasis Group Director Danish Ahmed and Executive Director Ahsan Jabbar.
During the meeting, Oasis Group presented updates on its ongoing and planned ventures, including resort, residential, commercial and industrial projects. Among these, the Oasis Sino Pak Global Village in Nooriabad was highlighted as a flagship initiative aimed at boosting industrial activity and attracting foreign investment.
Officials noted that Kunlun Group and Oasis Group had originally signed the MoU during a business-to-business conference in September 2025. Both sides reiterated their commitment to expanding cooperation into key sectors such as agriculture, energy and infrastructure.
The minister emphasized the government’s focus on facilitating foreign investors and improving the ease of doing business, particularly for Chinese enterprises. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s economic potential and assured full support for investors, while also briefing the delegation on opportunities available in Special Economic Zones across the country.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
The Competition Commission has taken action against two frozen dessert manufacturers in a misleading “ice cream” case, imposing a fine of Rs35 million for deceiving consumers.
In its ruling, the commission, citing the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority and the Punjab Food Regulations 2018, clarified that “ice cream” and “frozen dessert” are two distinct products. Ice cream is made from milk, cream, or other dairy ingredients, whereas frozen desserts may contain vegetable oil. Therefore, presenting frozen desserts as ice cream is considered misleading.
The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) had directed the companies to stop marketing frozen desserts as ice cream, withdraw all misleading advertisements, and provide clear and accurate information about their products.

Islamabad | Renews Pakistan
The Directorate General of Customs Valuation in Karachi has revised the customs values of LED bulbs and LED tube lights, along with multiple categories of related components imported from China.
According to officials, the revised valuation covers seven types of LED bulb parts and six categories of LED light components. The changes have been formalized through two separate valuation rulings issued on Wednesday.
As per Valuation Ruling No. 2055 of 2026, the revision was initiated after importers submitted representations, requesting an update in line with prevailing international price trends. In response, customs authorities conducted a detailed analysis of import data, including declared and assessed values, as well as current market prices.
The new customs values have been determined under Section 25A of the Customs Act, 1969, with the aim of ensuring transparency and alignment with global pricing standards in the import of LED products.

Islamabad | ReNews Pakistan
Renowned banker Syed Muhammad Talib Rizvi has been appointed as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of House Building Finance Company Limited (HBFC). The company’s Board of Directors has formally approved his appointment.
Syed Talib Rizvi brings over 28 years of extensive experience in the banking and financial sector, including strategic leadership, commercial banking, digital finance, fintech, public policy, and regulatory affairs.
He has received higher education, diplomas, and professional certifications from globally renowned institutions such as Stanford University, the World Bank, the World Economic Forum, and other international organizations.
Throughout his career, he has served in senior leadership roles, including CEO, Group Executive, and Group Head, at major financial institutions such as Bank Alfalah, Habib Metropolitan Bank, Dubai Islamic Bank, and Faysal Bank.
Syed Talib Rizvi is widely recognized for his expertise in institutional transformation, strengthening governance frameworks, and promoting financial inclusion through innovation and strategic partnerships. Under his leadership, various institutions have achieved significant growth and improved business performance.
Experts believe that his appointment will further enhance the performance of HBFC and bring innovation to Pakistan’s housing finance sector.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
The Punjab government has decided to introduce a new long term lease policy for industrial land as part of broader efforts to accelerate industrial activity and restore investor confidence across the province. Official sources said the policy is intended to provide long term security to industrialists while placing new and existing industrial projects on sustainable and predictable foundations.
Under the proposed framework, industrial units will be granted land on lease for a period of 30 years or more. The lease will be linked to performance, meaning its continuation will depend on production activity, investment levels, and the operational performance of the industrial unit. The policy will apply not only to Special Economic Zones but also to all industrial estates throughout Punjab. Officials said a formal announcement is expected before the start of Ramadan.
Alongside the lease policy, the government is also working on administrative reforms and greater use of technology within the industrial sector. Secretary Industries Muhammad Umar Masood said significant changes are being introduced to improve ease of doing business for industrialists. He said a technology based one window system is being developed to ensure compliance with environmental regulations, with the aim of simplifying approvals and improving transparency in monitoring and enforcement.
Officials said the reforms are designed to reduce human intervention by limiting unnecessary inspections and repeated administrative interference. At the same time, the government is placing increased emphasis on public private partnership models to support industrial development by making better use of private sector expertise and investment capacity.
Representatives of the industrial sector have also highlighted the pressures currently facing businesses. The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry said the sector is under strain due to high electricity costs, elevated interest rates, and a heavy tax burden. According to the chamber, the proposed lease policy and administrative reforms could help stabilise industrial activity and contribute to rebuilding investor confidence.
Government officials have described the initiative as an important step towards improved use of industrial land, stronger protection of investment, and more coherent long term industrial planning in Punjab. They said effective implementation of the policy could support industrial expansion, create employment opportunities, and generate wider economic activity across the province.

Karachi | ReNews Pakistan Ghani Dairies Limited, a leading corporate dairy farm in Pakistan, has announced plans to raise approximately Rs 2.5 billion through an Initial Public Offering (IPO) to finance expansion of its farming operations and infrastructure on its existing property in Khushab. This IPO marks one of the first major public listings for a corporate dairy farm in Pakistan. Under the offering, Ghani Dairies will issue 104.2 million new ordinary shares, representing 24.28 percent of post-IPO paid-up capital. The proceeds will be primarily utilised to expand the herd, upgrade milking and storage facilities, and enhance on-farm infrastructure to boost production capacity, while strengthening working capital. The company operates a fully automated corporate dairy farm and supplies milk to major processors in Pakistan. The planned expansion under the IPO will occur entirely on its existing land, including construction of additional milking parlours, storage facilities, and feed management systems, without acquiring new farmland. The IPO is scheduled with book building on 2–3 February 2026 and public subscription on 9–10 February 2026, following approval by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan and the Pakistan Stock Exchange. This offering provides investors an opportunity to participate in a technology-driven agribusiness with a strong land and property-based infrastructure.