By Commerce Reporter
LAHORE: – A press conference was held at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the soft launch of “Mera Brand Pakistan Expo 2026.” The conference was chaired by Senior Vice President of LCCI, Tanveer Ahmed Sheikh. Vice President Khurram Lodhi, Executive Committee members Mohsin Bashir, Aamir Ali, and Hasan Raza were also present. Former Executive Committee members Ejaz Tanveer, Wadood Alvi, Ch. M. Arshad, UK Business Forum’s Kamran Ejaz, and Chief Organizer of Mera Brand Pakistan Expo, Moazam Qazi, also attended. The main slogan of the press conference was “Raise the Flag of Economic Freedom,” emphasizing Pakistan’s determination to become economically strong.
During the conference, speakers recalled that May 28, 1998, was a historic day for Pakistan when nuclear tests made the country’s defense invincible. They also mentioned that on May 10, 2025, the nation stood united with the armed forces to show that Pakistan’s security is every citizen’s red line. The speakers emphasized that now Pakistan must become not only a military power but also an economic power, as nearly 44% of the population lives below the poverty line and the state often relies on loans from international financial institutions to run the system.
The speakers said the only way to overcome poverty, debt, and weak governance is through a national movement for economic growth and promoting entrepreneurship. With this aim, Pakistan Business Forum Lahore launched the Mera Brand Pakistan Expo. The previous year’s expo in August 2025 received an enthusiastic response from the public.
This year, the Mera Brand Pakistan Expo 2026 will be held from August 14–16 at the Lahore Expo Center, providing a platform for Pakistani brands to showcase themselves nationally and internationally.
During the press conference, former Senior Vice President Engineer Khalid Usman and former Executive Committee member Ejaz Tanveer also spoke, describing the expo as an important initiative for economic stability and the promotion of local brands. They added that such events play a key role in empowering youth and women economically.
Attendees were informed that during the expo, there will be cooking and baking competitions for women, business startup competitions for youth, and interest-free microfinance facilities. Special counters will also be set up to guide participants on starting new businesses, NTN registration, and other government-related matters. Additional activities include the “Raise the Flag of Economic Freedom” bike rally from Minar-e-Pakistan to Lahore Expo Center, along with prizes, special discounts, and free gifts for visitors.
The speakers appealed to Lahore’s citizens to attend Mera Brand Pakistan Expo 2026 with their families and take part in this national effort to strengthen Pakistan economically. They emphasized that a financially strong Pakistan is a shared need for the people, the state, and the Muslim world.
