41 candidates of all three groups in the run for LCCI annual elections
As many as 41 candidates of three groups of Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) are in the run for annual election against 16 seats of corporate and associate class including one woman.
A total of 2,386 registered voters will elect seven candidates out of 14 against corporate class seats while eight contestants, out of 24, will be voted to power by 6,556 voters for associate class seats.
Three women candidates are contesting against one reserved seat for woman.
All three groups “Founder-PIAF Alliance”, “Progressive” and Azad Progressive Alliance” are actively contesting annual election of the chambers and have nominated their candidates against all seats, hoping for victory.
One of the candidates of Founder Group, Abdul Basit or Ijaz Mumtaz will head the chamber while seat of senior vice president and vice president will go to PIAF candidates as per 12-year-old understanding of group leaders and elders of the Founder-PIAF Alliance, the ruling group in chamber.
The last 12 years history of chamber reflected that all candidates of Founder – PIAF Alliance had been sweeping all seats with majority and held key posts of president, senior vice president and vice president.
The LCCI, since its inception in 1923 and after creation of separate motherland, had produced prominent national political figures namely Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Federal Minister Tariq Hamid and SNGPL Chairman Mian Misbahur Rehman.
The electioneering is in full momentum with holding of series of door to door, corner meetings, followed by lobbying and canvassing.
Independent groups have also come forward in Karachi and Lahore. Keeping in view of the past experience, it seems difficult to cause a dent in the unity of existing powerful groups of “The Founder’ and the “PIAF” in the provincial metropolis.
Businessman Group Chairman, the largest alliance of chambers in the country, Iftikhar Ali Malik said dedicated candidates having integrity, especially educated youth, have been fielded in the chamber election with consensus in a democratic manner. He said the young talented entrepreneurs, having desire to promote trade, serve the country and help strengthen the national economy, are being encouraged while awarding the tickets.
