By M Qadeer
LAHORE — Former Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Executive Committee member and PPBA candidate for the LCCI Executive Committee, Muhammad Naeem Hanif, has outlined his views on the challenges confronting Lahore’s business community and the role of the chamber in addressing them.
In an interview ahead of the LCCI elections, Hanif discussed taxation, energy prices, ease of doing business, small and medium enterprises, exports, industrial growth, government-business coordination and the need for stronger representation of traders.
The PPBA — comprising PIAF, Progressive and BNF — is contesting the LCCI 2026-28 elections and has identified business representation, taxation, energy, regulation, financing, exports and public-private engagement among its stated areas of focus.
Q: You have previously served on the LCCI Executive Committee. How would you describe your experience?
Muhammad Naeem Hanif: Serving on the LCCI Executive Committee provided me with an opportunity to understand the challenges of the business community from close quarters. The chamber brings together businessmen from different sectors, and every sector has its own concerns.
I believe representation should not be limited to raising an issue when it becomes urgent. It should involve continuous engagement with members, government departments and policymakers.
My experience at the chamber has convinced me that businessmen want practical solutions. They want their concerns to be heard and followed up through the appropriate institutional channels.
Q: What are the most pressing issues facing Lahore’s traders and industrialists?
Hanif: The business community is facing pressure from multiple directions. Taxation, energy costs, inflation, regulatory requirements, financing difficulties and uncertainty about policies all affect business decisions.
A businessman needs to know what the policy environment will look like when he invests his capital.
If policies change frequently or businesses face unexpected regulatory requirements, investment decisions are delayed. This affects expansion, employment and economic activity.
Our priority should therefore be to create greater predictability and make it easier for businesses to operate within the legal and documented economy.
Q: What should be the role of LCCI in resolving these problems?
Hanif: LCCI is an important institutional platform for Lahore’s business community. It should act as an effective bridge between businessmen and government institutions.
The chamber should identify problems from the grassroots level and present them before policymakers with facts, figures and workable proposals.
It is also important to follow up after meetings. A representation becomes meaningful when the concerned department is approached again, progress is monitored and the business community is informed about developments.
The chamber should remain accessible to both large industrialists and small traders.
Q: What changes are required in the taxation system?
Hanif: The business community understands that the government needs revenue. Pakistan cannot run without a functioning taxation system.
The issue is how taxes are collected and how the burden is distributed.
Businesses need a tax system that is transparent, understandable and predictable. Complicated procedures create difficulties, particularly for small businesses that do not have large administrative departments.
Broadening the tax base is important. If more people and businesses participate in the documented economy, the burden can potentially be distributed more widely.
The government should also consult business representatives before introducing major taxation measures that directly affect commercial activity.
Q: What is your position on the high cost of energy?
Hanif: Energy is one of the biggest cost components for industry and many commercial businesses.
When electricity and other energy costs increase, the impact eventually reaches production costs and consumer prices. It also affects the ability of Pakistani exporters to compete internationally.
We need a long-term strategy that addresses both affordability and reliability.
Industry cannot plan production effectively if it faces unpredictable energy costs or interruptions in supply.
The business community can also contribute proposals for energy efficiency, alternative energy sources and better utilisation of available resources.
Q: How can Pakistan improve its export performance?
Hanif: Exports should be treated as a long-term national priority.
We need to improve competitiveness rather than relying only on temporary incentives.
This requires better infrastructure, competitive energy, easier access to finance, modern technology, skilled workers and effective trade facilitation.
Pakistan also needs to diversify its export base and explore new markets.
Our exporters have the ability to compete, but they need a policy environment that allows them to concentrate on production, quality and international marketing instead of spending excessive time dealing with procedural obstacles.
Q: What are the particular difficulties faced by SMEs?
Hanif: SMEs are extremely important because they generate employment and support supply chains across the economy.
However, small businesses often face greater difficulties in obtaining finance, understanding regulations and adopting modern technology.
A large company can maintain specialised departments for taxation, legal matters and compliance. A small businessman often has to manage these responsibilities personally.
Therefore, policies for SMEs should recognise their circumstances.
Simpler procedures, improved access to financing, training and digital services can help small businesses become more productive and eventually move into larger markets.
Q: What should be done to improve the ease of doing business?
Hanif: Ease of doing business should not only be a slogan. It should be reflected in the everyday experience of an entrepreneur.
If a businessman wants to establish or expand a business, the process should be clear. He should know which department to approach, which documents are required and how long the process is expected to take.
Digitisation can reduce unnecessary delays and improve transparency.
Government departments should also coordinate with each other so that businesses do not have to repeatedly submit the same information to different offices.
Q: How important is government-business consultation?
Hanif: It is essential.
Government officials formulate policies, but businessmen experience their consequences directly.
For example, a regulation may appear straightforward on paper but create significant difficulties when implemented in markets or industrial areas.
Regular consultation can identify such problems before they become serious.
The business community should also approach the government with realistic proposals. We should explain not only what is wrong but also what alternative can work.
That is the kind of dialogue that can produce better policy.
Q: What should be the focus regarding industrial development in Lahore?
Hanif: Lahore is a major commercial and industrial centre, and its economic performance has an impact beyond the city.
Industrial areas need proper infrastructure, roads, drainage, energy, security and efficient government services.
If infrastructure is weak, businesses incur additional costs.
Industrial development also requires investment in technology and human resources.
The chamber can work with industrial associations and government institutions to identify the most urgent infrastructure and regulatory problems and develop sector-specific proposals.
Q: What role should young businessmen play in LCCI?
Hanif: Young businessmen should have meaningful opportunities to participate in chamber affairs.
The business community is changing rapidly because of technology, e-commerce, digital services and new forms of entrepreneurship.
Young entrepreneurs understand these developments and can bring a different perspective to traditional business institutions.
At the same time, experience remains important. The best approach is to bring experience and new ideas together.
LCCI can provide young businessmen with opportunities through committees, training programmes, networking and policy discussions.
Q: How can the chamber better represent different sectors?
Hanif: Lahore’s business community is diverse. There are manufacturers, traders, exporters, importers, retailers, wholesalers, technology companies, service providers and professionals.
Their priorities are not always identical.
Therefore, representation should be based on consultation with different sectors.
The chamber should regularly meet trade associations and market representatives and document their concerns.
This can help LCCI develop policy recommendations that reflect the wider business community rather than only one particular segment.
Q: What is your view on access to financing for businesses?
Hanif: Access to affordable financing is particularly important for SMEs and expanding businesses.
A business may have a viable project but lack sufficient working capital or financing for expansion.
Financial institutions, government agencies and business organisations should explore mechanisms that make financing more accessible while maintaining proper safeguards.
We also need greater financial literacy among smaller businesses so that entrepreneurs understand available financing options and can prepare proper business plans.
Q: What kind of relationship should exist between LCCI and trade associations?
Hanif: The relationship should be based on coordination.
Trade associations have direct knowledge of their respective sectors, while LCCI has a broader institutional platform.
If both work together, the business community can present more comprehensive proposals to policymakers.
The chamber should listen to associations and ensure that their genuine concerns reach the relevant authorities.
Q: How important is policy continuity for investment?
Hanif: Policy continuity is extremely important.
Businesses make decisions based on expectations about the future. A factory, warehouse or export facility cannot be established for a few months.
Investors need confidence that major economic policies will remain reasonably consistent.
Political and administrative changes may occur, but economic planning should have a longer-term perspective.
If we want private investment and industrial expansion, businesses need a predictable environment.
Q: What do you believe should be the chamber’s approach toward government institutions?
Hanif: The approach should be constructive but firm.
The chamber represents businesses and must raise their legitimate concerns. At the same time, it should recognise the government’s responsibilities and offer practical solutions.
We should avoid turning every business issue into confrontation.
Dialogue, data and continuous follow-up can often achieve more than isolated statements.
Q: What is your message regarding unity among the business community?
Hanif: Unity does not mean that everyone must have identical views. It means that the business community should be able to identify common economic issues and present them collectively.
Taxation, energy, exports, infrastructure and ease of doing business affect a broad section of the private sector.
When the business community presents well-researched proposals through representative institutions, policymakers are better placed to understand the practical impact of their decisions.
Q: Finally, what would you like to say to LCCI members ahead of the election?
Hanif: I would say that the chamber is an institution of the business community, and its effectiveness depends on active participation by its members.
As a former LCCI Executive Committee member and a candidate for the Executive Committee with the PPBA, I want to see greater attention given to practical business problems and stronger communication between members, the chamber and government institutions.
My emphasis is on representation, follow-up and solutions.
The business community needs an environment where entrepreneurs can work, invest, create employment and expand their businesses.
LCCI can contribute to that process by remaining closely connected with its members and by presenting their concerns through constructive and evidence-based engagement with policymakers.
