The election of Vice-President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) from Balochistan, which was to take place on January 30, has been suspended till further orders by Additional District Judge, Quetta.
The order was passed on January 23 on a suit filed for declaration and injunction by Fazal Qadir Sherani, executive member, managing committee, Quetta Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and others against Engr Daroo Khan, member, managing committee, Chaman Chamber of Commerce and Industry and others. The plaintiff had prayed that a decree be passed in his favour against the defendants on the following terms:
- Declaring that the defendants Nida Muhammad and Engr Daroo Khan have been illegally and unlawfully elected members of Chaman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and subsequent nomination for Federation/Chamber is without lawful authority.
- That defendant, Secretary General/Election Commission, FPCCI, Karachi, has no jurisdiction to include the name of ineligible and not qualified members, ie, Nida Muhammad and Daroo Khan in the list of valid voters.
- That the above-named defendants, having been unlawfully elected, are not entitled to cast their vote in the election of Federation/Chamber.
- That the Secretary General may be directed not to permit or allow the defendants to cast vote in respect of the office of Vice-President, Balochistan.
- That the election of office of Vice-President, FPCCI from Balochistan may be suspended/stayed till the disposal of the suit.
- That the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Chaman, has not conducted its election according to Rules and Ordinance 2007; as such, the election of Chaman Chamber of Commerce for the class of corporate and associate member as well as subsequent election for the President of Chamber of Commerce and Industry be declared as null and void and in utter violation of relevant provisions of election rules.
- Any other order, as may be deemed fit and appropriate in the circumstances of the case may also be awarded along with the cost of the suit in the interest of justice.
After hearing the contentions of the advocates of applicants/plaintiffs the judge in his order said: "the contentions put forward by the learned counsel require further consideration, hereby the election of Vice-President is suspended till further order".The case is fixed for regular hearing on February 1, 2009.