Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari Is a Brand Ambassador of Islamabad; His Services to the Capital and Business Community Are Commendable: ICCI President
Report: F T City Reporter:
ISLAMABAD– Newly elected President of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), Muhammad Zakaria Akbar Zia, has announced that the Chamber will establish a Foundation and Trust to promote the welfare of its members. He described former ICCI President Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari as a brand ambassador of the Federal Capital, praising his contributions to Islamabad’s cleanliness, greenery, beautification and public welfare.
He expressed these views while addressing a delegation of market presidents and trade association representatives from Islamabad, led by Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari. The delegation congratulated ICCI President Muhammad Zakaria Akbar Zia, Senior Vice President Muhammad Ashfaq Hussain Chatha, Vice President Muhammad Waqas Khan Swati and the newly elected Executive Members on assuming their responsibilities.
Zakaria Akbar Zia said that Bakhtawari had rendered valuable services to the business community and the residents of Islamabad during his tenure as ICCI president and through various social welfare initiatives. These included installing water filtration plants, public washrooms and water coolers in different markets, planting thousands of trees and providing computers to educational institutions.
He said these initiatives had improved public facilities, benefited traders and citizens, and helped students access modern educational resources. He added that effective leadership was defined by a spirit of service that extended beyond holding public or organizational office.
The ICCI president assured the business community that the new leadership would work to strengthen mutual cooperation, address traders’ concerns and introduce practical measures for members’ welfare.
Former ICCI President Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari congratulated the newly elected leadership and assured it of his full cooperation. Emphasizing the need to protect business activities and citizens’ mobility, he said, “Islamabad should be made a dharna-free city; it should not be turned into a prison.”
He said prolonged marches, protests and road closures caused by the placement of containers disrupted commercial activities, inflicted financial losses on traders and created difficulties for employees, students and the general public.
Bakhtawari urged the new ICCI leadership to raise the issue with the relevant authorities and propose a suitable alternative venue for demonstrations. He said such an arrangement could protect the right to peaceful protest while minimizing disruption to businesses and routine life in the Federal Capital.
He stressed that the new leadership should take practical steps to resolve traders’ problems, improve the business environment and safeguard the interests of the business community.
Former ICCI President and Council Member Khalid Iqbal Malik appreciated Bakhtawari’s services and expressed hope that the new leadership would effectively highlight business-related challenges and play an active role in resolving them.
ICCI Senior Vice President Muhammad Ashfaq Hussain Chatha said the Chamber would pursue meaningful initiatives through unity, consultation and teamwork. He added that the new leadership would continue to benefit from Bakhtawari’s experience and guidance.
ICCI Vice President Muhammad Waqas Khan Swati said the Bakhtawari family had established a distinct reputation through its longstanding association with the business community and its tradition of hospitality. He expressed confidence that the new leadership would meet the expectations of traders.
Prominent Tarnol businessman Wajid Ayub, Blue Area President Yousaf Rajput, G-11 President Malik Naeem Awan, E-11 President Zahir Abbasi, and ICCI Executive Members Abrar-ul-Haq, Syed Imran Bukhari, Sadaf Abbasi and Nageena Khaliq also addressed the gathering.
The speakers congratulated the newly elected leadership and paid tribute to Bakhtawari for his contributions to Islamabad and the business community. They emphasized that stronger coordination between the Chamber and market associations was essential for resolving traders’ concerns, improving market facilities and promoting economic activity.
They reaffirmed their commitment to joint efforts aimed at protecting the interests of the business community, improving commercial infrastructure and supporting Islamabad’s economic development.
