By Our Correspondent
LAHORE — Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) President Mian Abuzar Shad continues to rise as a bold and unwavering voice for Pakistan’s business community.

Mian Abuzar Shad’s principled stance on issues affecting trade and industry — including the controversial Section 37AA of the Income Tax Ordinance — has earned him massive support not only in Lahore but across the nation. Thousands of traders from various chambers and markets have rallied behind him, commending his courage to speak truth to power.
During recent events such as the Traders Convention hosted at the LCCI, the hall was filled with passionate voices backing the President’s vision for economic fairness and accountability. Far from being isolated, Mr. Shad is being increasingly recognized as a people’s leader in the business world — someone who speaks from the heart and defends those who feel voiceless under heavy-handed tax policies.
Sources close to the LCCI confirm that President Shad has consistently stood up for Executive Committee members, always advocating merit and transparency in all decisions. Isolated incidents are being exaggerated by those who failed to assert their relevance within the Chamber’s democratic framework.
“President Mian Abuzar Shad may be a strong personality, but his strength comes from his commitment to the truth,” said a senior LCCI member. “He is not afraid to challenge policies that are harmful to Pakistan’s business environment, and that’s what makes him stand out.”
In contrast, voices of support have poured in from former LCCI presidents, business leaders, and key members of the Pioneer Business Group (PBG), which continues to back him unconditionally. During a brief interim presidency by a vice president recently, celebrations erupted not in defiance but in harmony with Mr. Shad’s policies, confirming his role as a unifying figure in a diverse and active chamber.
Traders have especially appreciated Mian Abuzar Shad’s uncompromising stance against misuse of power, economic mismanagement, and hollow tax policies. His recent remarks about dual-national policymakers and the unjust burden on local businesses have sparked important national debate.
The proposed July 19 nationwide strike is being seen as a testament to his leadership and the trust he commands among business circles. From Karachi to Peshawar and Lahore to Sialkot, calls for a unified business front are echoing — largely because of Mr. Shad’s vision and firm resolve.
Despite distractions and petty propaganda, Mian Abuzar Shad remains focused on achieving results. His leadership style, though bold and direct, reflects the urgency of Pakistan’s economic situation and the growing unrest among traders and industrialists.
As one senior trader put it, “The business community doesn’t need a silent spectator — it needs a fighter. Mian Abuzar Shad is exactly that.”
With three months left in his term, LCCI President Mian Abuzar Shad is expected to further intensify efforts to safeguard traders’ interests, push for policy reforms, and remain a loud, principled, and fearless advocate of economic justice.
—
