Acting Chairman Senate Syedal Khan met a delegation from the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry and senior journalists at Parliament House to discuss measures for economic stability, industrial growth and the welfare and responsibilities of the media. He emphasized the need for cooperation among government, parliament and the private sector to tackle economic challenges and pledged support for journalists’ welfare and fact-based reporting.
The meeting brought together leaders from the FPCCI and senior members of the press for a wide-ranging discussion on Pakistan’s economic priorities. Syedal Khan described a strengthened industrial base as the backbone of the national economy, saying industrial promotion drives employment, improves public welfare and fosters long-term prosperity.
He said the current government and its coalition partners are implementing concrete measures to create jobs and raise living standards. Praising the FPCCI’s role in stabilizing the economy and promoting trade, he assured participants that Senate standing committees take traders’ and industrialists’ recommendations seriously when shaping budgets and economic reforms.
Acknowledging the country’s economic challenges, Syedal Khan called for mutual trust and cooperation between the government, parliament and the private sector as essential to finding solutions. He stressed that development gains should not be concentrated in major cities but extended to remote and underdeveloped areas.
Highlighting opportunities for less-developed provinces such as Balochistan, he pointed to energy projects, mineral development, agriculture and small-scale industries as sectors that could integrate these regions into the mainstream economy and spur local growth.
Addressing senior journalists, the Acting Chairman said an independent and responsible media is a vital pillar of the state and a bridge between the government and the public. He reiterated the government’s commitment to resolving journalists’ issues and improving their welfare, including through appropriate legislation.
He urged the media to prioritize fact-based reporting and avoid unverified news, noting the press’s role in strengthening democracy, raising public concerns and building trust between citizens and the state. Syedal Khan also assured journalists that his office remains accessible and that he will take necessary steps to address their problems. Representatives of the journalist community expressed gratitude for the formation of a committee to handle their concerns.
