ISLAMABAD, MAY 26 /DNA/ – The Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) has voiced serious concern over the Capital Development Authority’s (CDA) persistent anti-business approach, urging the federal government to take immediate corrective action by appointing a full-time, competent Chairman to lead the authority and implement pro-business reforms.
Speaking to the media, ICCI President Nasir Mansoor Qureshi said the current bureaucratic hurdles and governance gaps in CDA are damaging the business climate and discouraging both local and foreign investment. “Even basic processes like obtaining a No Demand Certificate (NDC) are mired in excessive verification steps, even after multiple legal property transfers. This reflects poor administrative trust and causes avoidable delays,” he stated.
The ICCI leadership also highlighted deep concerns from the industrial sector, particularly regarding the unjustified and inflated fee structure applied by CDA. “Islamabad’s industrial units are being burdened with disproportionate charges that are inconsistent with national standards. CDA must rationalize these fees to align with rates in other major regions, ensuring a level playing field for all,” emphasized, ICCI President.
He called for a comprehensive reassessment of the industrial fee structure, including a reduction in ground rent and property taxes, to relieve financial pressure on existing businesses, attract new investment, and enable the sustainable growth of the industrial sector in the capital.
ICCI also reiterated its earlier demand for inclusion of business community representation in the Design Vetting Committee (DVC). “Currently, the process is monopolized, and only those affiliated with CDA insiders manage to get approvals, which stifles open competition and undermines merit,” said President Qureshi.
The Chamber further criticized the inaccessibility of the CDA Chairman, warning that the lack of responsive leadership has created an environment of administrative opacity and inefficiency. “Citizens and businesses are routinely forced to deal with uncooperative staff, which fosters informal practices and damages trust in public institutions,” he added.
Joining the call for urgent reforms, ICCI Senior Vice President Abdul Rehman Siddiqui and Vice President Nasir Mehmood Chaudhry also urged the government to ensure that CDA is headed by a permanent and accountable Chairman who can engage meaningfully with stakeholders and steer Islamabad towards transparent, business-friendly governance.
ICCI stands firm on protecting the rights of its members and the citizens of Islamabad and warns that continued neglect of these issues will erode investor confidence and hinder Islamabad’s economic development, they concluded.
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