LAHORE – President of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Faheem Ur Rehman Saigol has urged the Punjab government to extend the relaxation in business and restaurant timings beyond June 1, stating that the retail and food sectors are still struggling due to earlier lockdown measures and restrictions imposed under energy conservation policies. In a statement issued here, the LCCI president said that the decision to close markets and restaurants at 8pm had severely affected business activities, reduced customer flow and caused heavy financial losses to retailers, restaurants, cafes and small businesses across Punjab.
He said that after continuous advocacy and strong representation by the Lahore Chamber, the government eased restrictions and extended business timings until June 1, which provided much-needed relief to traders and the hospitality sector. However, he emphasized that the current economic conditions do not allow businesses to return to restrictive timings again. Faheem Ur Rehman Saigol said that while the government introduced these restrictions in the name of energy conservation, there are several alternative measures available to save electricity without damaging economic activity. He suggested that the government should focus on energy efficiency, better management systems, reduction in line losses, promotion of energy-saving equipment and improved governance in the power sector instead of limiting business operations.
He said that the retail and restaurant sectors are among the largest contributors to economic activity and employment generation. Any return to strict timing restrictions after June 1 would create serious difficulties for traders, restaurant owners, workers and daily wage earners who are already facing inflation, high electricity tariffs, increased operational costs and weak consumer spending. The LCCI president said that the business community fully supports responsible energy conservation and national economic stability, but policies should be designed in consultation with stakeholders to avoid unnecessary damage to businesses and employment.
He urged the Punjab government to continue the current relaxation in market and restaurant timings beyond June 1 and formulate a long-term policy that balances energy conservation with economic sustainability. Faheem Ur Rehman Saigol said that the Lahore Chamber will continue to raise the voice of the business community and work closely with the government for practical and business-friendly solutions.
Saigol says Digital transformation key to future retail growth
A seminar on the Future of Retailing in Pakistan was held at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry in collaboration with the Marketing Association of Pakistan (MAP), bringing together business leaders, industry stakeholders, and members of the chamber to discuss evolving dynamics in the country s retail sector. The session was chaired by LCCI President Faheem Ur Rehman Saigol, who emphasized the need for Pakistan s retail industry to adapt to rapidly changing global trends, digital disruption, and shifting consumer preferences.
LCCI Executive Committee Member Firdous Nisar, Convener Tariq Asmat, along with committee members Salman Rawan, Asim Jameel, Rehana Rajput, Akif Chaudhary, Shah Jahan, and Qamar Zulfiqar, were also present at the seminar. They acknowledged the importance of continued dialogue between stakeholders to ensure the retail sector remains competitive and aligned with global developments.
LCCI president highlighted that the retail sector remains one of the most significant contributors to employment and economic activity in Pakistan and must be supported through modern policies, innovation, and improved business facilitation. During the seminar, participants engaged in in-depth discussions on emerging retail trends, including the expansion of e-commerce, the growing influence of digital payment systems, supply chain modernization, and the increasing role of data-driven decision-making in retail operations. Speakers also underlined how consumer behavior in Pakistan is undergoing a transformation, particularly among younger demographics who are increasingly inclined towards online shopping platforms and tech-enabled retail experiences.
The importance of integrating traditional retail models with modern digital infrastructure was a key theme of the discussion. Participants noted that while brick-and-mortar retail continues to dominate the market, hybrid models combining physical and digital channels are becoming essential for competitiveness in the current business environment.
The seminar concluded with a consensus that Pakistan s retail sector holds immense untapped potential, but requires strategic investment in technology, regulatory facilitation, and skill development to fully realize its future growth prospects.
