Since the President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), has to come for the two year ie, 2007-2008 term, from Punjab, chambers and associations in that province have stepped up their electioneering campaigns to promote their favourites.
The FPCCI President is elected on rotation basis from each province including AJK. The activity naturally is more visible in Punjab than any other province being its turn for the office.
Although there are at least five candidates, all belonging to Businessmen Panel (BP) who have expressed their desire to contest for the office of the president, on the ground only two candidates look seriously involved "in the battle" for getting the party ticket.
The Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry have arranged a promotional get-together on October 14 in honour of Tariq Sayeed, leader of BP and others belonging to his group.
The man behind this election meeting is Mohammad Idrees, Chief Executive of Sitara Group of Industries, the leading chemical icon of the country. He had only this week announced joining the Businessmen Panel. The purpose is to announce their support for Tanveer Ahmed Shaikh of Multan for the much sought after office of President. Idrees may get the position of Vice-President.
Since almost all the chambers and associations in Multan and Faisalabad have made their intentions known of putting their weight behind the candidature of Tanveer Ahmed Shaikh, an intricate situation seems developing for the leader of BP in deciding to pick up the right candidate. More so because Misbah is been promoted vehemently by the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the top slot.
For all intents and purpose it is unlikely that the candidate would be picked up before December. Tariq Sayeed has already made it clear that the candidate would be a "consensus candidate" and selected in a transparent manner.
On looking at the overall scenario, the chances of Misbah getting the ticket for contesting the President's office appear slim. At best he could be considered for the post of Vice-President.
On the other hand, inactivity appears to rule the roost in the Businessmen Forum (BF) camp. Although it was the first to announce that Mian Habibullah would be its candidate for the office of President, neither he nor the group has followed it up either through the press or any forum. BF's activists here also look totally disorganised and ignorant about the future of their group. They also do not known whether BF would be contesting the elections.
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