The senior vice president of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) has called on Pakistan’s prime minister to take immediate action to halt the ongoing exit of businesses from the country, warning that the trend threatens economic stability, employment, and investor confidence.
Tahir Ayub highlighted that unless urgent steps are taken to rationalize the tax system and lower energy costs, Pakistan risks further erosion of its industrial base and a decline in global competitiveness.
He pointed to the Finance Minister’s recent acknowledgment that several companies have relocated abroad due to high taxes and energy tariffs, calling it a validation of long-standing concerns within the business community.
“In some sectors, cumulative taxes have reached as high as 55 percent, making it nearly impossible for businesses to survive and compete internationally,” Ayub said.
He added that the challenging business environment is discouraging both local enterprises and foreign direct investment (FDI), which are crucial for economic growth, technology transfer, and job creation.
Policy uncertainty, elevated operational costs, and lack of competitiveness, he said, remain major barriers to attracting domestic and international investors.
Despite the pressures, Ayub stressed that the business community remains resilient and committed to supporting national development through export growth and job creation.
However, he emphasized that this commitment must be matched by pragmatic government policies, sustained stakeholder engagement, and a business-friendly regulatory framework to safeguard Pakistan’s long-term economic health.
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