PESHAWAR, August 20, 2024: The President of the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) and a leading industrialist of Pakistan, Fuad Ishaq, emphasized the significant role that the business community plays in the development and promotion of sports in the country. He remarked that athletes are a valuable asset to both the nation and its people, expressing pride in the achievements of Pakistani players who continue to elevate the country's name on the global stage.
 
Fuad Ishaq shared these views while addressing the executive committee meeting of the Pakistan Sports Writers Federation, held in Peshawar. The meeting saw participation from officials representing Sindh, Balochistan, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Islamabad, demonstrating a unified commitment to advancing sports journalism and the sports industry across the nation.
 
During his address, Fuad Ishaq highlighted the vital contributions of sports journalists, acknowledging their role in popularizing sports and promoting athletes worldwide. He expressed his satisfaction with the efforts of Pakistani sports journalists, who have been instrumental in fostering the development of sports within the country.
 

In particular, he mentioned Arshad Nadeem, who, despite facing limited resources, made history by winning a gold medal for Pakistan at the Paris Olympics. This achievement not only set a new record in the Olympics but also served as an inspiration for future generations of athletes. Ishaq expressed optimism that such successes would inject new life into the nation's sports community.
 
Welcoming the sports journalists to Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Fuad Ishaq took pride in the city's rich sports heritage. He pointed out that the village of Nawan Kali in Peshawar has produced seven world champion squash players, a feat unparalleled anywhere in the world. These legendary athletes—Hashim Khan, Azam Khan, Roshan Khan, Mohibullah Khan, Jahangir Khan, Jansher Khan, and Qamar Zaman—dominated the international squash scene for over three decades, leaving an indelible mark on the sport's history. Fuad also reflected on Peshawar's historical significance, noting that Alexander the Great once passed through this city, which has long been a major center for trade in the Indian subcontinent.
 
In response to questions about Pakistan's economic challenges, Fuad Ishaq pointed out that while the country is rich in natural resources, high taxes and policies unfavorable to traders have negatively impacted both exports and local production. He emphasized that by promoting commercial activities, industrialists and businessmen could significantly support sports and athletes. Such efforts, he argued, would not only boost economic activities across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Pakistan as a whole but would also bring prosperity and happiness to the people.
 
On this occasion, the President of the Pakistan Sports Writers Federation and the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry also exchanged shields, symbolizing their mutual commitment to advancing both sports and commerce in the region.