LAHORE: Ali Hussam Asghar has formally assumed charge as president of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) following a decisive victory in the chamber’s recent elections, marking a major change in its leadership.
The election result brought an end to the longstanding dominance of the PIAF-Mian Nisar Group, which had remained a major force in Lahore’s chamber politics for around 25 years. Asghar’s group secured a heavy majority in the election, paving the way for a new leadership at the Lahore Chamber.
After assuming office, Asghar said he would take all sections of the business community along and work to address the issues confronting traders and industrialists.
“I will take the business community along and make every possible effort for the development of trade and industry,” Asghar said while speaking after taking charge.
He said the Lahore Chamber would continue to play its role in highlighting the concerns of traders and industrialists before the government and other relevant institutions. He stressed the need for greater cooperation between the business community and government institutions to promote economic and industrial activity.
Asghar said the chamber’s priorities would include facilitating businesses, supporting industrial growth and promoting policies aimed at strengthening trade and investment. He also expressed his commitment to maintaining regular engagement with representatives of different business sectors to better understand their concerns.
The new LCCI president said the chamber would work to provide a platform where traders and industrialists could raise their issues and seek practical solutions. He added that the business community’s participation would remain central to the chamber’s future activities.
The election victory has also generated considerable interest within Lahore’s business community, particularly because of the change in leadership after a long period of dominance by the previous group.
The new administration will now face the task of translating its electoral mandate into practical initiatives for the business community. Among the major challenges facing businesses are rising operating costs, taxation issues, energy-related concerns, regulatory hurdles, access to finance and the need to expand exports.
Business leaders have repeatedly called for policies that can reduce the cost of doing business, improve the investment environment and enhance Pakistan’s industrial and export capacity. The Lahore Chamber is expected to continue raising these issues with the provincial and federal governments.
Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and LCCI Patron-in-Chief Dr Gohar Ejaz congratulated Asghar on his election victory and assumption of office.
They expressed their best wishes for the new LCCI president and hoped that the chamber’s new leadership would work for the promotion of trade and industry and contribute to improving the business environment.
With the new leadership now formally in place, attention will shift towards the priorities and initiatives of Asghar’s administration and its engagement with the government, policymakers and the wider business community.
The new president has pledged to adopt a consultative approach and work collectively with traders and industrialists to address their concerns and promote the growth of Lahore’s business and industrial sectors.
