A high-level ‘WEBCOP Dialogue’ on Bilateral Dialogue on Business and Human Rights and Responsible Business Conduct was organised at the FPCCI President Secretariat in Islamabad. The event was held in collaboration with the FPCCI Central Standing Committee on Skill Development, the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the Employers’ Federation of Pakistan (EFP), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the European Union (EU), the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development (MOPHRD), and the Ministry of Human Rights.
Keynote Address by Federal Minister
The dialogue was presided over by Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) President Atif Ikram Sheikh. The Chief Guest, Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, Chaudhry Salik Hussain, emphasised in his keynote address that business growth and workers’ welfare are deeply interconnected. “A safe, dignified, and fairly compensated workforce forms the bedrock of any productive enterprise,” Minister Salik Hussain stated. He highlighted that alignment with international labour and human rights standards is indispensable for accelerating Pakistan’s exports and safeguarding local industries.
Presidential Address by FPCCI President
In his presidential address, FPCCI President Atif Ikram Sheikh remarked that no economy can thrive without a robust partnership between industry and labour, noting that economic progress and human dignity are inseparable. He reaffirmed FPCCI’s unwavering commitment to aligning domestic business practices with international standards through the implementation of the National Action Plan. Atif Sheikh also paid a special tribute to Mian Akram Farid for his exemplary five-decade-long leadership and lifelong contributions toward technical education, human rights, and fostering employer-employee cooperation.
Remarks by Mian Akram Farid
Addressing the session, Mian Akram Farid, Chairman of the FPCCI Central Standing Committee on Skill Development, Executive Member, and Former VP FPCCI, underscored the critical timing of the dialogue. He stated that the session is vital for navigating complex macroeconomic challenges and securing pivotal international trade privileges, such as the EU’s GSP Plus status. He emphasised that sustainable progress relies heavily on a skilled and empowered workforce—particularly women and the youth—balanced with strict adherence to international legal frameworks. He added that under the dynamic leadership of UBG Pattern-in-Chief SM Tanveer, FPCCI is actively collaborating with industrial, commercial, and labor leadership to establish an ideal business ecosystem in Pakistan.
Call for Responsible Business Conduct
Furthermore, Majeed Aziz, President of the Employers’ Federation of Pakistan (EFP), urged employers across the country to wholeheartedly adopt responsible business conduct to meet competitive global market benchmarks. The high-level dialogue drew a massive turnout of senior government officials, industrial titans, and key labor union representatives from across Pakistan.
Prominent Attendees and Speakers
The prominent attendees and speakers included FPCCI Vice Presidents Tariq Jadoon and Zaki Aijaz, FPCCI Skill Committee Deputy Chairman Karim Aziz, and FPCCI Capital Office Chairman Coordination Malik Sohail Hussain. International representatives included Jeroen Willems, Head of Cooperation for the European Union Delegation to Pakistan, alongside Dr Samuel Rizk, Resident Representative, and Van Nguyen, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP Pakistan, and Rabia Razzaq, Senior Programme Officer at the ILO. The government sector was highly represented by Nadeem Aslam Chaudhry, Federal Secretary for MOPHRD, as well as Ministry of Human Rights Director General Muhammad Arshad and Director Shahzad Ahmed Khan.
From the broader business, federation, and labor community, the event welcomed EFP Vice President Feroz Alam, EFP Directors Malik Tahir Javed, Humayun Nazir, Athar Iqbal, and Dr Yusuf Sarwar, and EFP General Secretary Syed Nazar Ali. Additional notable leadership present included FPCCI Executive Member Saeed Khan, former ICCI President Zahid Maqbool, Senior WEBCOP Leader Zahoor Awan, Islamabad Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Samina Fazil, former FPCCI Vice President Naima Ansari, former ICCI Senior Vice Presidents Fatima Azeem and Rafat Farid, FPCCI Skill Development Committee Member Kashif Farid, and prominent labor leaders Chaudhry Nasim and Chaudhry Saad.
