A look at Saqib Rafiq’s contributions to Rawalpindi’s business community, the Business Facilitation Centre, entrepreneurship and cultural activities.
RAWALPINDI: Saqib Rafiq has emerged as a prominent name in Rawalpindi’s business community through his leadership at the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI), advocacy for business-friendly policies and initiatives aimed at facilitating entrepreneurs and encouraging young people to pursue entrepreneurship.
His tenure as RCCI president was marked by an emphasis on reducing the cost of doing business, improving coordination between government departments and the business community, and promoting a more supportive environment for investors and traders.
One of the initiatives highlighted during his leadership was the establishment of the Business Facilitation Centre, envisioned as a one-window facility to help entrepreneurs access multiple government services under one roof.
The initiative sought to reduce administrative hurdles, delays and the need for business owners to visit several government offices to complete official procedures.
According to the account of his contributions, Rafiq played a key role in bringing together government officials and relevant stakeholders to advance the project. These included former Punjab chief ministers Mohsin Naqvi, former provincial minister S.M. Tanveer, former Industries Secretary Ehsan Bhutta, former Rawalpindi Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chattha and former Rawalpindi Development Authority Director General Saif Anwar Jappa.
The centre was subsequently completed in what the account describes as a record period.
Rafiq also raised concerns about rising business costs, particularly electricity and gas prices, fuel expenses and the need for consistent economic policies. At presidential conferences and other forums, he called for consultations with business stakeholders and medium- and long-term economic planning to support industrial growth.
His public-sector responsibilities extended beyond the business community. He also served as chairman of the Rawalpindi Waste Management Company, where he advocated exploring the use of green waste to produce compost.
Additionally, he headed the Board of Management of the Punjab Council of Arts, Rawalpindi Division, reflecting his involvement in cultural and artistic activities alongside his business commitments.
Youth entrepreneurship was another area of focus. During Global Entrepreneurship Week at the National University of Modern Languages (NUML), Rafiq encouraged students to consider starting their own businesses rather than relying exclusively on traditional employment opportunities. He also highlighted the chamber’s potential role in supporting aspiring entrepreneurs.
His leadership approach, as described by those highlighting his work, also included financial transparency within the chamber. Monthly disclosures of income and expenditure, punctuality and beginning meetings with recitation from the Holy Quran were among the practices associated with his tenure.
Rafiq also sought closer cooperation between the Rawalpindi and Islamabad chambers, proposing a six-member committee and a friendly cricket match to strengthen relations between the two business communities.
Although he is now a former RCCI president, his association with Rawalpindi’s business circles continues. He is reportedly invited to major business events and corporate openings, including the launch of new branches by established brands such as D. Watson.
His journey reflects several areas of engagement, including trade representation, entrepreneurship, public-sector responsibilities and cultural activities. For Rawalpindi’s business community, his contributions remain part of the discussion about leadership, institutional cooperation and the city’s economic development.
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