PBF demands competitive environment to achieve exports target

FAISALABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Jul, 2026) The Pakistan Business Forum (PBF) has urged the government to create a more competitive environment for the industrial sector, stressing that immediate policy intervention is essential to achieve the country's export targets.

Speaking after the announcement of PBF's new Faisalabad chapter office-bearers for a two-year term, PBF leaders highlighted the mounting challenges facing Pakistan's textile industry, including rising energy tariffs, high financing costs, increasing production expenses and stiff regional competition. They called for industry-friendly measures on a war footing to safeguard the country's largest export-oriented sector.

According to a notification issued by Chief Organiser Ahmad Jawad, Director FIEDMC Mian Kashif Zia has been appointed President of the PBF Faisalabad chapter, while Senior Vice Chairman of PHMA (North Zone) Ahmed Afzal Awan will serve as Senior Vice President. Mian Tanvir Ahmed and Muhammad Abdullah Qadri have been named Vice Presidents, and senior trade leader Mian Tanveer Riaz has been appointed General Secretary.

Addressing the business community, PBF Faisalabad President Mian Kashif Zia described Faisalabad as the backbone of Pakistan's industrial economy, contributing around $5.5 billion in textile exports annually—about 45 percent of the national total.

<?php /*?> <?php */?>

He warned that rising electricity and gas tariffs, unreliable energy supplies, high borrowing costs and liquidity constraints have eroded exporters' competitiveness and placed many SMEs under severe financial pressure.

He urged the government to lower the cost of doing business through affordable energy, easier access to finance, stable tax policies, timely sales tax refunds and improved export facilitation to restore investor confidence and revive industrial growth.

Senior Vice President Ahmed Afzal Awan noted that Faisalabad's industrial base extends beyond textiles to include garments, hosiery, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, engineering goods, food processing and agricultural machinery, making the city a key contributor to Pakistan's exports and employment.

He stressed the need to strengthen infrastructure, ensure reliable energy supplies, expand industrial estates, improve logistics, accelerate technology adoption and invest in skilled manpower. He also called for closer public-private collaboration to address structural challenges and create a more predictable, investment-friendly business environment.

The newly elected office-bearers reaffirmed their commitment to representing the business community, promoting investment, boosting exports, generating employment and reinforcing Faisalabad's position as Pakistan's leading industrial and textile hub.