Exclusive interview with Mian Anjum Nisar, Pakistan’s Leading Businessman and Status Quo Breaker
By M Qadeer
Q: Mian Anjum Nisar, the recent victory of your PIAF Group in the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) elections has been quite unbelievable. What do you believe is the core reason behind the vast support you received from the business, trade and industry?
Mian Anjum Nisar: Thank you. I’m deeply grateful for the trust shown by the business community. I think the reason lies in my commitment to addressing their issues, irrespective of political affiliations. Whether those in power align with my group or not, my priority has always been the interests of traders and industry. I had never differentiated between businessmen based on party lines—my loyalty lies with the business community as a whole.
Q: Mian Anjum Nisar, you have made a strong impact not only in the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) but also at the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI). How do you view your journey in both organizations, and what impact do you think your leadership has had?
Mian Anjum Nisar: It’s been a challenging yet rewarding journey. At both LCCI and FPCCI, my focus has been on addressing the real issues faced by the business community—high operational costs, uncompetitive policies, and the need for industry-friendly reforms.
In LCCI, we aimed to bring about a shift in how business politics is approached, emphasizing unity and a solution-focused mindset. At FPCCI, I took these goals to a national level, advocating for policy changes that benefit the entire business ecosystem in Pakistan. I believe that my leadership has helped bridge divides, bringing different groups together to fight for common goals. This is what I think has earned the support of the business community, both in Lahore and across Pakistan.
Q: There has been talk about a supposed rift within the PIAF-Founder Alliance. Can you clarify your stance on this?
Mian Anjum Nisar: To be honest, I haven’t broken any alliance. The PIAF-Founder Alliance has a history of cooperation and shared goals, and I respect that. Nevertheless, at times, strategies may differ as circumstances change. My commitment has always been to keep the community’s welfare at the forefront. The success of our recent campaign reflects that we stayed true to our objectives without compromising on unity within the alliance.
Q: With your clean sweep victory, some members of the opposition have raised questions about the election results and even called for a vote recount. What’s your stance on this?
Mian Anjum Nisar: We are fully prepared to comply with any order from the Directorate General of Trade Organizations (DGTO)about the recount. Our group has no reservations about transparency; we believe in fair play. However, it’s disappointing that, despite our cordial interactions and the sportsmanship shown post-elections, the opposition chose to approach the DGTO. It’s worth noting they had a favorable position within the election commission, with two members, compared to our single member. Above all, they even held the LCCI presidency, which gave them a significant advantage.
Q: What, in your opinion, led to the opposition’s decline in these elections?
Mian Anjum Nisar: I wouldn’t want to speculate too much. But it may be that their performance didn’t live up to the community’s expectations. Over time, the weight of unmet promises can bear down on any group. The business community wants proactive leadership, and I believe that may have influenced the outcome.
Q: How do you see your ties with the opposition moving forward? Any message you would like to convey to them?
Mian Anjum Nisar: They are our brothers in the business community. Elections are over, and it’s time to turn a new page. I’d invite them to work together for the upliftmnet of our trade and industry sectors. Let’s unite to address the pressing issues facing the economy and work towards strengthening Pakistan.
Q: Coming to the economy, how do you view the current business climate in Pakistan? What challenges do you see for those trying to run businesses here?
Mian Anjum Nisar: Doing business in Pakistan has really been an uphill battle. The government often overlooks consulting true stakeholders in policymaking. The very fact results in half-hearted policies that, at the end of the day, offer little benefit to trade, industry, and the overall economy.
Our top hurdle is the uncompetitive markup rate. While regional rates hover between 3 to 6 per cent, in Pakistan, it’s as high as 17 per cent. This disparity puts our businesses at a severe disadvantage, especially when competing in international markets. Another challenge is the high electricity tariffs, which have skyrocketed the cost of doing business here.
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