Lobbying, canvassing and corner meetings have been kicked off throughout the country after the announcement of schedule for annual elections of chambers of commerce and industry.
The process for filing of nomination papers for the slots of president, senior vice president, vice president and members executive committee have started followed by appeals against acceptance and rejection of nomination and finally withdrawal, if any, before display of the final list of contestants.
Election commissions have already been announced by all the chambers to ensure transparent, fair, free and impartial polls.
Tough elections as usual are expected in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Faisalabad, Hyderabad, Sialkot, Quetta and Peshawar.
Independent groups have also emerged in Karachi and Lahore. Keeping in view 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.
The acting chairman of the Businessman Panel, the largest alliance of chambers in the country enjoying 98 per cent overwhelming majority in FPCCI, Iftikhar Ali Malik, told APP Sunday that dedicated candidates having integrity, especially the educated youth, would be fielded in the chamber elections.
The candidates would be finalised with consensus in a democratic manner, he added. He said the young talented entrepreneurs, having desire to promote trade, serve the country and help strengthen the national economy, would be encouraged while awarding the tickets.
He said a high-level committee comprising senior trade leaders, including SM Munir, Chief Executive Pakistan Trade Development Authority Senator Ghulam Ali and FPCCI VP and Zonal Chairman SM Naseer would finalise the nominees keeping in view their professional standing and their contribution towards national development.
About forthcoming federation election, he said the entire business community across the country including all chambers have reposed full confidence in his leadership at a businessmen convention held recently at Karachi. He said all decisions would be taken absolutely on merit for award of tickets to candidates.
