ISLAMABAD: A brief but heated standoff between Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) President Sardar Tahir Mehmood and Capital Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Muhammad Ali Randhawa fizzled out on Friday, after the chamber leader quietly stepped back from his earlier call for a sit-in against the Authority.
Sardar Tahir, a real estate agent-turned-chamber president, had announced a protest outside CDA headquarters on December 11, vowing not to end it until the chairman resigned over what he termed “hostile policies” towards the business community. However, multiple sources confirmed that he softened his position after CDA leadership refused to come under pressure.
According to insiders, Chairman Randhawa conveyed a firm stance, which was later relayed to the relevant federal authorities. Facing a cold response, Sardar Tahir reportedly sought the intervention of Prime Minister’s Adviser on Tourism Sardar Yasir Ilyas and Federal Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi to secure a face-saving way out of the confrontation.
People familiar with the matter said in background conversations that many traders do not view Sardar Tahir as a genuine representative of Islamabad’s business community, pointing out that he has long worked solely as a property dealer and does not run a business in the capital.
Despite the behind-the-scenes discord, a CDA-issued press note painted a conciliatory picture of Friday’s meeting, stating that the leadership discussed business-related issues and agreed to develop an effective coordination mechanism with the chamber and traders.
The meeting decided to establish a working group comprising representatives from ICCI, market associations and CDA to address legitimate demands of the business community. Chairman Randhawa reiterated that the Authority’s priority is improving facilities in the federal capital and assured regular engagement with stakeholders.
He said traders from relevant markaz and commercial areas would be included in the upcoming upgradation plans, adding that the purpose of the working group was to close any coordination gaps. He also highlighted that CDA is financing development schemes from its own resources and pledged to personally visit commercial centres to resolve outstanding issues.
The forum also praised CDA’s ongoing anti-encroachment operations.
Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi thanked Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi for facilitating the talks and said the business community, ICCI and traders’ bodies are essential partners in Islamabad’s development. He stressed that most issues can be resolved through dialogue and coordination.
Tourism Adviser Sardar Yasir Ilyas echoed the sentiment, stating that promoting business activity remains a key government priority and assuring full support to CDA in resolving traders’ concerns.
