Change of loyalties by members belonging to the two groups, ie, Businessmen Forum (BF) and Businessmen Panel (BP) in the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) election of office-bearers for two year-term 2005-2006 in December, is destined to throw up big surprises.
According to expert campaigners, 'B' class associations, a large number existing only on paper, will have a big say in the outcome of election results. It was due to the existence of this virus that stalwarts like Siraj Kassam Teli, Zubair Motiwalla and Hanif Janoo all the three former presidents of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and Yaqoob Karim, former chairman of Site Association of Industry, were defeated in the FPCCI elections for the managing committee last time.
Subsequently in a discussion programme on a private TV channel, Teli had regretted existence of fake trade bodies. Nasir Hayat Magoo, another former president of KCCI, had also bemoaned this malady.
It will be an expanded 100-member managing committee this time, representing 50 chambers and 50 associations, 25 associations each from 'A' class and 'B' class.
The imposing hitting power, however, remains with the federal government whose order can give effect to take care of all the situations, including taking over of trade bodies, during chaotic and undemocratic running modes.
These situations give birth to administration by Director Trade Organisation (DTO), who appoints administrators taking overall functions of executive committee of the trade body.
The recent examples being that of Pakistan Film Producers Association (PFPA) and All Pakistan Gem Merchants & Jewellers Association (APGMJA) where administrators have been appointed.
These associations are also denied the participation in elections of FPCCI due to defunct position of office-bearers placed under suspension.
Looking back at the pattern of FPCCI elections, the chambers have remained influenced by senator Ilyas Bilour's Businessmen Forum and whereas 'B' class associations have remained heavily dominated by Tariq Sayeed's Businessmen Panel.
Former FPCCI president Iftikhar Ali Malik, vice-presidents, Tanvir Shaikh and Chaudhry Saeed and the sitting president, Riaz Ahmed Tata, were all launched from BF's platform but have now turned their back and are supporting the BP's nominee Chaudhry Saeed for the office of president instead of BF's nominee Sardar Ashraf.
It has been observed that whereas Tariq Sayeed showers his blessings on the right candidates, Ilyas Bilour picks up people, who as the proverb goes "bite the hand which feeds them."
Sardar Mohammad Ali Jogezai, once a very close ally of Ilyas Bilour, has also crossed over to the opposite camp. Mian Habibullah appears to be the only person, who has shown commitment and stood by Bilour through clear as well as murky weathers.
BF looks comfortable in chambers and 'A' class associations as it is now concentrating more on 'B' class associations where BP had a clean sweep in the last elections. After being totally eliminated from the KCCI elections held in September, BP is now concentrating heavily to have foothold in the FPCCI and collecting all the renegades under its flag to make a dent in the stronghold of BF.