By Commece Reporter
LAHORE: As the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) elections draw closer, business leaders are focusing on leadership, accountability and the future direction of the country’s premier trade body.
In an exclusive conversation, Chairman Pioneers Businessmen Group and aspiring LCCI presidential candidate Ali Hussam Asghar discussed the challenges facing the business community, the changing expectations of traders and industrialists, and his vision for transforming the chamber into a more effective institution.
Ali Hussam Asghar said the traditional approach to business leadership had changed, adding that the business community now demanded measurable performance, practical solutions and visible results.
“The era of traditional politics is over. Today, the business community wants performance and accountability. Traders and industrialists want to know what their representatives have delivered for them,” he said.
‘Leadership is a responsibility, not a position’
Talking about his potential role as LCCI president, Ali Hussam Asghar said he considered the chamber presidency a responsibility rather than merely an honour.
“If Allah gives me the opportunity and I become president of the Lahore Chamber, but I fail to deliver for the business community, I will resign and go home,” he said.
He added that business leaders should be judged by their performance and ability to resolve issues faced by entrepreneurs.
According to him, the chamber should work as a strong voice for traders and industrialists by actively engaging with government departments, policymakers and relevant institutions.
Business community facing difficult times
Discussing the current economic environment, Ali Hussam Asghar said businesses across Pakistan were facing serious challenges, including high energy costs, taxation issues, inflation and difficulties in conducting business.
He said entrepreneurs were struggling not because of a lack of potential but because of policy uncertainty and structural issues affecting the economy.
“Pakistan’s business community has the capability to compete globally, but it needs a supportive environment, consistent policies and practical reforms,” he said.
He stressed that chambers of commerce should play a more proactive role in highlighting business concerns and proposing workable solutions.
Focus on practical service delivery
Ali Hussam Asghar said that if the Pioneers Businessmen Group and its alliance succeeded in the LCCI elections, their priority would be practical service delivery.
He said the chamber should move beyond statements and focus on solving real problems faced by businesses.
“Our objective is not only to occupy positions; our objective is to serve the business community,” he said.
He added that the chamber should strengthen its role in areas such as taxation reforms, trade facilitation, export promotion, energy challenges and improving relations between businesses and government institutions.
Need for stronger business representation
The LCCI presidential candidate said that Pakistan’s economy could only grow when the private sector was given confidence and space to expand.
He said entrepreneurs create employment opportunities and contribute significantly to national development, therefore their issues should receive greater attention at policymaking levels.
He also emphasised the need for better coordination between chambers, trade associations and government departments to ensure that business concerns are effectively communicated.
A new era of accountability
Ali Hussam Asghar said the expectations of the business community had changed significantly.
“Today, businessmen do not only want promises. They want results,” he said.
He maintained that elected representatives of chambers must remain accessible and regularly engage with members to understand their problems.
He said transparency, accountability and continuous engagement would be key principles of his leadership approach.
Vision for Lahore Chamber
Speaking about his vision for the LCCI, Ali Hussam Asghar said the chamber should become a stronger institution representing the voice of Lahore’s business community at national and international forums.
He said Lahore’s entrepreneurs have enormous potential and the chamber should create more opportunities for investment, exports and business growth.
Concluding the discussion, Ali Hussam Asghar said the upcoming LCCI elections represented an opportunity for the business community to choose a leadership that could translate commitments into action.
“The business community deserves leadership that works for them, listens to them and delivers for them,” he said.
