Aptma elections: ruling group secures chances as opposition shows unpreparedness

Rejection of nomination papers on technical grounds for September 6 annual elections of All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (Aptma) Punjab has caught the opposition unprepared while putting the ruling group into a comfortable position.
Sources said nomination papers of Mian Mohammad Jehangir of Monnoo Group for the office of Chairman Aptma Punjab Zone were rejected on technical grounds, pushing the covering candidate Hussain Ahmed Fazal upward for the post of Senior Vice Chairman. Therefore, Wisal A. Monnoo of Gohar Ejaz Group was elected unopposed for the office of Senior Vice Chairman Aptma Punjab.
Similarly, nomination papers of Alamgir Jamil Khan of Monnoo Group were rejected on technical grounds, clearing the path for election of Syed Ali Ahsan of Gohar Ejaz Group for the office of Vice Chairman Aptma Punjab unopposed. However, said sources, both the groups fell like ninepins for the seat of treasurer where nomination papers of Shahid Faraz of Gohar Ejaz Group and Kashif Shakoor of Monnoo Group were rejected simultaneously on technical reasons.
Therefore, sources added, there would be no elections for the seat of treasurer. This seat would be filled once the Zonal Managing Committee comes into being after September 6 elections. Bad luck for Monnoo Group did not end here as it lost further with the rejection of nomination papers of Ismail Arif and Umair Virk for nine seats of general members for ZMC.
In total, therefore, five nomination papers of Monnoo Group were rejected out-rightly. Industry circles are of the view that rejection of five nomination papers of Monnoo Group suggests that the group is not fully prepared to contest the elections. Meanwhile, the election commission sources told Business Recorder that the last date for withdrawal of nomination papers is August 30, 2010. There are reports that a few withdrawals are likely to take place in a day or two.