LAHORE: The chambers of commerce and industry and trade and industrial associations in a convention on Thursday unanimously rejected the amendments to Trade Organisations Act 2013.

Through a joint declaration issued during the meeting, the office-bearers of Lahore and other districts’ chambers and trade bodies demanded that the government must immediately withdraw the amendments and hold consultations with the business community.

According to the declaration, they declared that if the government forcibly conducts elections in 2025, all trade bodies would be locked with handing over of the keys to the government.

An Action Committee, led by former FPCCI president Mian Anjum Nisar, has also been formed. It includes all presidents and representatives of chambers and associations present in the meeting, which will engage with the government and devise a strategy for moving forward.

They said that the president, the premier and the commerce minister must take immediate notice and actions as bureaucracy is once again attempting to create a rift between the business community and the government.

The decision to conduct re-elections under the controversial amendments is nothing but a waste of time and resources for the business community. The excessive increase in the regulator’s powers will undermine the autonomy and efficiency of chambers and associations. Therefore, it is crucial that all stakeholders are consulted extensively on such matters.

Participants in the convention said that the institutions concerned should facilitate a conducive business environment instead of creating difficulties for the business community. Policies related to industry and trade cannot be formulated effectively without consulting and incorporating the suggestions of stakeholders.

Transparency and consultation should be fundamental principles in any legislation to ensure it benefits all stakeholders, yet these have completely been ignored in the recent amendments.

Published in Dawn, February 21st, 2025