RAWALPINDI: Senate Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani has stressed the importance of economic zones around Rawalpindi Ring Road and recognised them as essential for sustainable growth. He also said public-private partnerships were crucial for driving socio-economic progress and reaffirmed the parliament’s commitment to supporting recovery efforts. He stated this during his visit to Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI). The chamber’s president, Usman Shaukat, Senior Vice President Khalid Farooq Qazi, Vice President Fahad Barlas, Group Leader Sohail Altaf, along with former presidents and executive committee members welcomed the Senate chairman. Representatives from Anjuman Tajran and RCCI members also attended the event. Speaking on the occasion, Mr Gilani acknowledged the business community’s pivotal role in national economic development and endorsed RCCI’s call for an economic charter, policy stability and business representation in key committees. He emphasised that public-private partnerships were crucial for driving socio-economic progress and reaffirmed the parliament’s commitment to supporting recovery efforts. He highlighted government initiatives such as the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) as part of efforts to assist the needy. He said political stability directly impacted economic growth, underscoring the importance of a conducive business environment and consistent policies for national progress. He called for reduced imports, increased exports and a stable policy framework to attract long-term investment, reassuring the business community of parliament’s support in promoting Pakistan’s economic prosperity. RCCI President Usman Shaukat provided an update on RCCI’s ongoing initiatives, noting improvements in Pakistan’s macroeconomic indicators. He highlighted reduced inflation and interest rates, a stabilised currency and increased exports and remittances. He also called for accelerating construction work of economic and industrial zones around Ring Road, underscoring the strategic importance of these zones in fostering growth. Other leaders further advocated for an economic charter to ensure policy continuity, and suggested business community representation in the Senate finance and commerce committees. They recommended that the chamber president’s term be reduced from two years to one for greater dynamism.