Islamabad: July 19, 2026 — The first-ever All Pakistan Cold Storage Convention was successfully held in Islamabad , bringing together cold storage owners and stakeholders from across the country on a single platform for the first time in the industry’s history.The main agenda of the convention was to register a unified body with the Directorate General of Trade Organizations (DGTO).
This body will serve as an official platform to engage with policymakers and highlight the critical challenges currently facing the cold storage industry.Participants expressed serious concern that recent decisions by policymakers are directly impacting the export economy of fresh and perishable goods. Speakers emphasized that matters related to this sector must involve industry stakeholders before any policy is finalized.
Speaking on the occasion, the proposed Chairman, Mr. Arslan Javed, said:”Our immediate priority is to get the organization registered with DGTO. Once registered, we will work to help this industry survive through one of its toughest periods. The cold storage sector plays a vital role in preventing food waste, ensuring food security, and supporting Pakistan’s export economy.”The convention was attended by cold storage owners, exporters, representatives of farmers, and other key stakeholders from across Pakistan.
Attendees unanimously agreed to form the new body and adopt a joint strategy for direct engagement with the government.At the conclusion of the convention, it was decided that upon formation, the new body will immediately submit proposals to the government on key issues.
A proposal for the formation of a new body was also presented during the convention. The proposed leadership includes Arslan Javed as Chairman, Anis ur Rehman as Senior Vice Chairman, Arshad Hussain as Punjab Zonal Chairman, Shahid Hussain Solangi as Sindh Zonal Chairman, Ahmed Jamshed as KPK Zonal Chairman, Malik Shakeel Ahmed as Islamabad Zonal Chairman, Wahid Agha as Balochistan Zonal Chairman, and Waqas Shahid as General Secretary.
The National Convention was attended by Patron-in-Chief Chaudhry Muhammad Siddique; Chairman Founder Group Tariq Sadiq ICCI ; Khalid Javed former ICCI President ,Zafar Bakhtawari UBG Secretary General ,Khalid Iqbal Malik, former President ICCI, Aamir Waheed former President ICCI Sheikh Hafeez President Anjuman-e-Tajiran , Tahir Ayub Acting ICCI President ,Qazi Farooq Acting RCCI President ,Fahad Barlas RCCI Vice President, Amir Hussain Acting President of Islamabad Industrial Association ,Dr. Shumail Daud former RCCI Presidents, Saqib Rafiq former RCCI Presidents, Mian Rehman Aziz Chan former FPCCI Vice President ,Haji Ikram Arain,Saif-ur-Rehman former ICCI Vice President, Ameer Hamza former ICCI Executive Member and Zulqarnain Abbasi ICCI Executive member.
