In a move aimed at addressing the persistent energy crisis hampering Pakistan’s industrial base, seasoned industrialist and Vice President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), Asif Inam, has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGC) Board. The business community has welcomed the selection, viewing it as a critical step towards bridging the gap between the state-run utility and its industrial consumers.
According to a report today, Atif Ikram Sheikh, President of the FPCCI, endorsed the appointment, highlighting Mr. Inam”s direct experience with the energy challenges that have been crippling the nation’s export sectors. Mr. Sheikh noted that his leadership profile uniquely combines the strategic acumen of a large-scale manufacturer with extensive corporate governance experience, including his service on the council of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan (ICAP) and his leadership of gas sector reform teams in collaboration with the World Bank.
Echoing these sentiments, Mr. S. M. Tanveer, Patron-in-Chief of the UBG, stated that Mr. Inam”s background makes him ideally suited to guide SSGC towards greater operational efficiency. It is anticipated that his tenure will prioritise resolving gas supply bottlenecks, reducing Unaccounted-for Gas (UFG) losses, and cultivating a more transparent relationship between the state utility and the business community, ensuring energy policies support industrial growth.
To mark the appointment, a high-profile luncheon was hosted by Mian Zahid Hussain, a former IT Minister of Sindh and the current Chairman of the FPCCI Policy Advisory Board. The event was organised in honour of Mr. Asif Inam to recognise his contributions to the industrial sector.
The reception drew top-tier leadership from the business and corporate spheres. Notable attendees included Mir Allauddin Mari, former Chief Minister of Balochistan, along with senior office-bearers of the FPCCI such as SVP Saquib Fayyaz Magoon, and several Vice Presidents and former senior officials of the federation.
The gathering also served as a forum for senior business leaders to discuss current economic indicators and the strategic direction for key institutions. The strong attendance by executives, investors, and trade leadership was highlighted as underscoring the business fraternity”s unity and collective resolve to navigate the nation”s economic challenges.