Businessmen Council bagged sweeping victory in All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (Aptma) Punjab elections for 2010-11, as its nominee Ahsan Bashir was announced as elected unopposed after withdrawal of papers from the opposition.
It may be noted that Mian Jehangir, nominee of Jehangir Monnoo Group for the office of Chairman Aptma Punjab, was knocked out technically during scrutiny of nomination papers. He was replaced by Hussain Ahmed Fazal as covering candidate, who withdrew himself on Monday, the last day for withdrawal of nomination papers, and paved the way for Ahsan Bashir election unopposed.
The Businessmen Council, under the able leadership of Gohar Ejaz, celebrated the victory in Faisalabad where some 40 members both from Karachi and Lahore got together for inauguration of APTMA Faisalabad office. Ahsan Bashir will take charge of his office on 1st October 2010.
It is also worth noting that Syed Ali Ahsan of Businessmen Council has already been elected unopposed for the office of Vice-Chairman. The only balloting likely to take place on September 6 could be for the seat of Senior Vice Chairman where Hussain Ahmed Fazal from Jehangir Monnoo Group is contesting against Wisal A. Monnoo of Businessmen Council.
Meanwhile, Monnoo Group has also withdrawn four nominees for the election of nine members Zonal Managing Committee. However, the Businessmen Council has fielded members for all the nine seats with not a single withdrawal.
Talking to Business Recorder, Gohar Ejaz said majority of member mills of Aptma, particularly all small and medium size members, mills were supporting the Businessmen Council. He said the Businessmen Council would field candidates for all 12 seats in Central Management Committee (CMC) ahead.
According to him, the Businessmen Council has won the hearts of spinners and weavers at large by restoring profitability of the industry. He said Aptma Punjab has been proactive throughout 2009-10 for de-regulation of yarn export, followed by unrestricted yarn export and removal of duty for member mills. He said the yarn export has registered 22 percent increase during the year.
Gohar said his group has also secured loadshedding exemption for prime users on independent and grouped feeders and curtailed gas loadshedding duration from 77 days to 55 days. For the first time, CNG sector was included in gas load management programme, he added.
He said his group has successfully launched Pakistan Cotton Forum to secure interests of cotton farmers, ginners, traders and spinners. Further, he added, individual member mill cases of Pepco/Disco was resolved in respect of voltage fluctuation and load management, gas pressure and related SNGPL and sales tax issues. He expressed the hope that the Businessmen Council would secure sweeping victory in the elections and continue to serve the textile industry like the outgoing year.
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