Modernization of Fruit & Vegetable Market Crucial for Islamabad’s Food Supply Chain: Tahir Ayub
ISLAMABAD ( WEB NEWS )
Acting President of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), Tahir Ayub, has emphasized that modernization of Islamabad’s Fruit and Vegetable Market is critical for improving trader facilitation and strengthening the capital’s food supply chain, which serves thousands of retailers and consumers on a daily basis.
Speaking to a visiting delegation belonging to the Fruit and Vegetable Market he said the market’s rapidly expanding trade volume demands urgent infrastructure upgrades, including the development of new and modern auction facilities, both open and covered to enhance efficiency and accommodate growing commercial activity. He proposed the creation of dedicated platforms for heavy vehicles and 40-foot containers to reduce traffic congestion and improve logistical operations. He also suggested bringing adjacent vacant and underutilized land within the market’s boundary and to establish open truck auction zones, thereby expanding capacity and easing internal congestion. Additionally, he called for a comprehensive anti-encroachment drive to reclaim occupied spaces and redevelop them for legitimate market use, ensuring better management and operational discipline.
Tahir Ayub further urged the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to introduce business-friendly reforms by rationalizing Extra Storey Charges for commercial buildings. While appreciating CDA’s principal approval for allowing an additional storey on commercial structures, a move he termed positive for addressing the acute shortage of business space, he noted that the current per square foot charges are financially unviable for many traders, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs). He stressed the need for a realistic revision of these charges to enable wider participation and sustainable business expansion.
He added that the Chairman CDA in a meeting with ICCI portfolio had promised to visit himself to the venue to have first hand information of the situation, hence he should fulfill the promise at the earliest possible time.
Reaffirming ICCI’s commitment to collaborative engagement, the Acting President said the Chamber is ready to work closely with CDA and other stakeholders to formulate practical, growth-oriented solutions. He expressed optimism that CDA would give due consideration to these proposals and take timely action to support entrepreneurship, boost trade growth, and advance the commercial modernization of the federal capital.