The din and thunder, usually witnessed during the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry's (FPCCI) elections, may not be there during the 2007-08 campaign set to kick-off from October.
All indications are that it may turn out to be a subdued affair this time and of the two groups, one walking away with all the offices and managing committee seats, leaving the other group totally pulverised.
Among the rival groups are the Businessmen Forum (BF) headed by Senator Ilyas Bilour and the Businessmen Panel (BP) headed by Tariq Sayeed. Although the BF was the first to announce Mian Habibullah, as its nominee to contest the two-year term of office of the president of the FPCCI, its inaction indicates that the group is in a state of disarray and is not taking the elections seriously. Habibullah is the former president of the FPCCI and had also headed the Export Promotion Bureau.
Contrary to this scenario, the BP is actively engaged in its campaign and currently assessing the situation to put up best possible acceptable candidate for the top slot of the FPCCI. They are working on a 'clean-sweep'. The president of the FPCCI comes from all the four provinces and AJK in rotation and for the 2007-08 term it is the turn of Punjab.
Although, the BP has not announced its nominee for the office of the president of FPCCI, it has received applications from five candidates, namely Sheikh Tanveer from Multan, Misbah-ur-Rehman, Mehmood Ahmed and Azhar Saeed Butt all from Lahore and Qamar-uz-Zaman Gill from Gujrat.
Tanveer is the former vice-president of the FPCCI; Misbah-ur-Rehman, former president, Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI); Mehmood Ahmed, former vice-president, FPCCI; Azhar Saeed Butt is currently the vice-president of the FPCCI; and Gill is the president of the Gujrat Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
To all intents and purposes, Sheikh Tanveer, being the senior most in trade politics, is being tipped as the front runner followed closely by Misbah-ur-Rehman. The Multan region comprises the biggest vote bank with five chambers and eight associations and they are all backing Tanveer.
Tariq Sayeed and S.M. Muneer, who are both former presidents of the FPCCI, have been invited by the Multan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) on September 2 and 3 to address chamber members. Butt and Gill, both candidates in the run for the top slot will also be there on this occasion, which is considered a good sign as it might help in selecting a consensus candidate from among the five aspirants for the office of the president of FPCCI.
Tariq Sayeed told Business Recorder here on Thursday that unlike in the past when the aspirant's name was announced even before the completion of the managing committee, this time he is endeavouring to put up a consensus candidate who should have the backing of not only all the 19 chambers and 10 associations from Punjab, but should also be acceptable to the mnaging committee members from Sindh, Balochistan, NWFP, and AJK.
Putting the finger of approval on any one from amongst the five aspirants at this stage is neither desirable nor would be an intelligent move. Since the aspirant has to be a nominee of the chamber and a member of MC and elections to these bodies are due in September who would undertake this exercise, nominating a person prior to chambers' and associations' elections would be immature and illogical.
Misbah-ur-Rehman had recently toured Sialkot, another strong vote bank after Multan, Gujranwala, and Islamabad to promote himself, he will have to abide by the decision of BP leadership as he has signed the BP membership form and has come under its discipline. Insiders say that he could have challenged Tanveer, but his recent political statement and close links with the People's Party, he may not be looked with favour in the government circles. The BP may not take a chance with a person who may remain in constant confrontation with the government.
Mehmood and Butt are considered as "dark horses." Butt has his own lobby among the traders. Tariq Sayeed, being the chairman of the Businessmen Panel is in a position to announce the name of Group's nominee, he appears more inclined to take into consideration the input provided by Iftikhar Ali Malik, co-chairman of the Businessmen Panel, and Jameel Mehbood Magoon, alliance partner
Before "crowning" the person to adorn the robes of the highest office in the apex trade body of the country. He may also rely on the feedback from business leaders from all over the country enabling him to pick up the right candidate.
The FPCCI managing committee is scheduled to meet here sometime next month to approve the election programme. The FPCCI election process is incredibly too long. It begins in October and ends on December 31 with the induction of new president and holding of annual general body meeting.
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