The Director Trade Organisations (DTO) has summoned Siraj Kasim Teli, President, Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and Tariq Saeed, leader of Businessmen Panel (BP), to appear before him on July 20th in the hearing of complaints relating to the amendments in the KCCI memorandum and articles of association.
The Director Trade Organisations in his letter sent on July 14th to the President KCCI has referred to the KCCI's letter of June 21st regarding special resolution adopted by the extraordinary general body meeting of KCCI held on June 19th indicating "reduction in KCCI president's term from two years to one year". He also referred to several complaints filed by the opposition in this regard. The DTO also directed the President KCCI to direct the Secretary KCCI to be present in the hearing along with the relevant record.
The KCCI had adopted the special resolution in the general body meeting held on June 19th which passed the special resolution earlier cleared by the executive committee of the KCCI. The said resolution resolved to reduce the term of the President KCCI from two to one year. Subsequently, this resolution as adopted, was sent to the DTO for issuing necessary directives for amendments in the constitution. These amendments were challenged by 150 members with Tariq Saeed leading the complainants.
The procedure for amendment in the KCCI constitution is that first it has to be cleared by the executive committee for adoption by general body. It also requires acceptance by the DTO in terms of the ordinance and if accepted, could become the basis of the amendment in the constitution.
The present body is headed by Siraj Kasim Teli, who enjoys support of the Memon community and also partially of other ethnic groups namely Urdu and Punjabi speaking members of the business community. The term of the president rotates among three ethnic groups, namely Memon/Gujrati, Urdu and Punjabi speaking.
The term of power-sharing this year (elections are due in September) belongs to Urdu speaking group as Teli has already availed the term of Memon/Gujrati speaking group. The term after Urdu speaking will have to be taken by a Punjabi-speaking candidate.
Fearing the change of politics from Memon/Gujrati to Urdu speaking and Punjabi speaking for coming four years, the architect of the two-year term, Siraj Kasim Teli had himself sought reduction of term from two years to one year, allegedly apprehending that in four years the presidents of other ethnic groups may change the whole power game and his group may not be able to keep even the due share in the executive committee.
On the other hand, Tariq Saeed, who never misses the opportunity to cash on the weaknesses of his rivals, has accelerated his efforts to collect Urdu and Punjabi speaking members to oppose the reduction of the two-year term. Tariq, who lost his hold over KCCI since last several years now, wants to cash on this situation and stage a come back. He may or may not succeed in his game plan, he is active once again to regain his lost position.
He has also capitalised, to his advantage, on the opportunity, which has come his way due to the rift between Businessmen Forum (BF) leader Senator Ilyas Bilour and Jameel Mehboob Maggoon, to strengthen his position in the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI).
It is now known to all and sundry that it was Tariq Saeed, who in connivance with Jameel Maggoon, sabotaged the implementation of the agreement with Riaz Tata, President FPCCI, to leave the office after one year, depriving the assumption of office by Maqsood Ismail, a Memon/Gujrati, as per the understanding reached earlier. His position in the FPCCI gives him leverage to cultivate relationships with bureaucracy and politicians. He will get more importance if he is able to re-capture his lost position in the KCCI.
Members of the business community would be watching the outcome of proceedings and the decision of the DTO following July 20th hearing.
If the KCCI resolution is not accepted, then the Urdu speaking and Punjabi speaking candidates will become president for the coming four years in which Tariq Saeed sees a better position to gain by inflicting damage on Teli group.
The President FPCCI, Riaz Ahmed Tata, is also reportedly helping the group to organise against the wishes of Teli. He wants to settle old scores with Teli, who had supported Maqsood Ismail to take over the FPCCI's president-ship.