Media-Business partnership key to economic growth: Atif Ikram Sheikh

Stronger collaboration needed to resolve media industry challenges: Faisal Zahid Malik Rana Tahir Shahbaz Islamabad The 1st / 2026 meeting of FPCCI Central Standing Committee on “Media & Broadcasting” was held yesterday at FPCCI Capital Office in Islamabad, under the convenership of Mr. Faisal Zahid Malik, Chairman and CEO of Pakistan Observer. The meeting focused on crisis management in the media industry regarding advertisements and delayed recoveries, along with detailed discussion on the upcoming federal budget. The session began with the recitation of the Holy Quran. Opening remarks were delivered by Mr. Faisal Zahid Malik, Convener of the Committee, who thanked all members who traveled from Karachi, Lahore, Faisalabad, Bahawalpur and Islamabad to attend. Members from Karachi also joined via Zoom. Mr. Faisal shared his views and recalled his decades-long interaction with the top business community in Karachi alongside his journalism services. He noted that the visionary founder of Pakistan Observer, Mr. Zahid Malik (SI, HI), had advised him to build strong relations with the business community to develop a direct, productive link between media and business. Mr. Atif Ikram Sheikh, President of FPCCI, highlighted the role of media in the country’s economic development and its direct productive relation with the business community. He emphasized media’s contribution to employment generation, presenting a soft image of Pakistan globally, and its transition into the digital space. He firmly stated his belief that a stronger relationship between media and FPCCI would have an excellent impact on Pakistan’s further development. He added that FPCCI will definitely take the concerns of media outlets to the National Assembly and other higher forums. He further proposed that this meeting be held on a monthly basis to resolve industry problems on a regular basis. Senator Dr. Sarmad Ali, President APNS and Managing Director of Jang Media Group, also addressed the meeting and