ISLAMABAD, AUG 28 /DNA/ – Atif Ikram Sheikh, President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI), has expressed his profound concern, shock, and strong condemnation over the unwarranted, continuing mistreatment and high-handedness meted out to prominent industrialist and former FPCCI President, Mian Muhammad Adrees.

It is pertinent note that a unanimous resolution was passed in the Executive Committee meeting of FPCCI on Thursday to follow-up on the high-handed treatment of Mian Muhammad Adrees through collective voice of the business community.

Mr. Atif Ikram Sheikh informed that he has formed a high-powered liaison committee – representing the collective force of the entire business, industry and trade community of Pakistan – on the concerned matter to be chaired by Mr.Manzoor Ul Haq Malik, former VP FPCCI; and, Mr. Zubair Tufail, former President FPCCI; Senator Mian Muhammad Ateeq and Senator Talha Mahmood, will be its members.

Mr. Atif Ikram Sheikh stated that the entire business and industrial fraternity of Pakistan stands in absolute solidarity with Mian Muhammad Adrees. He noted that Mian Muhammad Adrees is a respected national figure who has rendered decades of invaluable service to industrial growth, employment generation, exports, and philanthropy across the country.

Atif Ikram Sheikh emphasized that subjecting distinguished trade leaders, industrialists, and wealth creators to arbitrary harassment and coercive measures is completely unacceptable and damages the dignity of the business community. He pointed out that at a time when Pakistan urgently needs economic revival, investment confidence, and industrial continuity, such incidents send an alarming message to domestic and international investors alike.

Mr. Atif Ikram Sheikh raised serious concerns regarding the handling of ongoing investigative proceedings related to decade-old power purchase agreements between Sitara Energy Limited, Sitara Chemical Industries, and FESCO. He pointed out that abruptly placing a seasoned business leader on the Provisional National Identification List (PNIL) and subjecting him to airport offloading and administrative harassment – over historical commercial contracts from 2007 to 2015 that remained dormant in institutional inquiry files for years – reflects an uncalled-for heavy-handedness rather than a transparent, fair legal process.

FPCCI Chief stressed that state institutions and administrative bodies must always operate within the bounds of legal propriety, dignity, and established statutory frameworks. He appealed directly to the Prime Minister of Pakistan, the Federal Interior Minister, the Federal Finance Minister, and other relevant authorities to take immediate, high-level notice, hold the responsible elements accountable through a transparent inquiry, and ensure that respectful and enabling conditions are guaranteed for Pakistan’s industrial leaders and business stakeholders.