The fireworks and bickering, usually witnessed during the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) elections, would be missing this time. The election for the two-year tenure of office-bearers is due in December and, for all intents and purposes, it appears that the entire process would be a 'tame and lacklustre affair'.
The reason: The two groups, considered to be archrivals--Businessmen Forum (BF), and Businessmen Panel (BP)--would no longer face each other. BF, led by Ilyas Bilour, has almost ceased to exist, leaving the field wide open for BP, led by Tariq Sayeed, to sweep the polls in the absence of any genuine opposition. Even otherwise, Tariq Sayeed holds the sway in FPCCI set-up. Senator Ilyas Bilour devotes most of his time in the country's politics and has no time for trade politics. In his absence, there is no one in BF to lead the group.
It would be for the first time that there would be no election for the Managing Committee. It would comprise of nominees sent by chambers and associations, as required under the Trade Organisations Ordinance (TOO)-2006. The MC would elect President, one Senior Vice-President and seven Vice-Presidents, one each from the four provinces, one representing woman, one from associations and one from chambers.
Since the office of President is filled on the basis of rotation among the provinces, for the 2009-10 term, the nominee for the top slot would be from Sindh. In the run, at present, are five candidates--Dr Mirza Ikhtiar Baig, Sultan Chawla, Zubair Tufail, sitting Vice-President, Akbar Abdullah, former Vice-President, and Zakaria Usman. Tariq Sayeed holds the key and, of-course, he would nominate the person to lead FPCCI for the next two years.
Captain Rashid Abro and Engr M.A.Jabbar could have been potential candidates from BF, but since the group is almost dormant, they cannot muster the required support on their own. On October 10, the Director General, Trade Organisations (DGTO), had notified the status of grant, denial and cases of lapse of licences to existing trade organisations on the expiry of last date, which was September 30. Accordingly, 100 associations, chambers and town associations were granted licence; 15 were denied; and the licences of 41 had lapsed, as they had not applied within the due date.
However, due to the pressure applied by those bodies which did not get the licences, the DGTO, on October 24, extended the last date up to November 1. As a result, it is likely that 11 associations and two chambers may further be granted licences.
Shamim Ahmed Shamsi, a former president of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), in a letter sent to Zafar Iqbal, Senate subcommittee on DTO matters, regarding issuance of licences to fake/bogus chambers/associations had appreciated deliberations in the meeting of Senate subcommittee on commerce.
Formation of a subcommittee to deal with DTO matters was also considered by him as "most encouraging". With regard to issuance of licences to four associations in the same trade/sector, KCCI President pointed out that it was against the TOO - 2006 and TOO - Rules -2007. He invited his attention to Clause 3(2)(d) of TOO 2006 wherein it has been enacted that licence shall not be granted to more than one trade organisation in the same sector and further as per TOO rules, Federal Government can direct trade organisations to merge it in the same or similar trade.
Attention was also drawn to the fact that DGTO had issued licences to four associations which are in the same trade sector, ie, Pakistan Steel Re-rolling Mills Association, Pakistan Steel Linepipe Industry Association, Pakistan Iron and Steel Merchants Association and Pakistan Steel Melters Association. It is evident that licences have been issued to these associations in the same trade/sector, which is not understood and seems to be for some ulterior motives and vested interests of the concerned official and against rules and spirit of TOO-2006 and TOO Rules-2007.
Shamsi appealed to the chairman of Senate subcommittee on DTO matters to intervene and halt this illegal act and restrain DTO officials from issuing licences to such bodies because this would again create not only confusion and chaos but would also go against the interests of genuine trade organisations and of the nation. He requested that this matter be probed thoroughly.