The Businessmen Panel (BMP) announced the candidates for the forthcoming annual election of Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) 2020 by fielding Mian Anjum Nisar, a former Minister for Industries and Commerce in Govt of Punjab.
The unanimous decision in this regard was taken at a special meeting of the BMP core committee held in Karachi with Patron in Chief Tariq Sayeed in chair. Prominent among them were Haji Ghulam Ali, Mian Zahid Hussain, Zakria Usman, Shaukat Ahmed, Sheikh Aslam, Mirza Abdul Rehman, Shahzeb Akram, Ghani Usman, Khurram Tariq Sayeed, Saqib Magoon, Shabbir Mansha Churra, Sultan Rehman, Ahmad Jawad, and Adnan Jalil. Names of other candidates for the seats of 11 Vice Presidents will be made public next month after the completion of local chambers election across the country.
The Core Committee officials said Businessmen Panel may contest the upcoming elections of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry with full force and abolish the monopoly of UBG officials; which will schedule in end of December 2019.
On this occasion Anjum Nisar said, it is unfortunate today, Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry has regrettably distanced itself from its national duty of projecting Pakistan's potential at international trade, investment, and economic events. "All over the world the responsibility of economic diplomacy and development has largely been shifted from governments to private sector institutions,"
The apex trade bodies used promotes economic diplomacy and it has become a global trend to utilise the strength and capacity of such private sector representative bodies for economic and political diplomacy. "Consequently, Pakistan through FPCCI has failed to raise its voice and advocate its economic policies in front of the government as well as at the international platforms, he added.
Former Vice President FPCCI Sheikh Mohammad Aslam said at one side traders, Chambers and associations were on protest against the new strict taxation regime and on other side; FPCCI and its office bearers have a silent lip on their mouths, sitting idle with zero plan of action how to overcome from this situation being an apex trade body of the country.
He told that my words are going to be proved corrected that United Business Group (UBG) made FPCCI into a dysfunctional and senseless institution one day and they yet keep continue to hide behind accusation on the opposition in the affairs of the Federation.
Secretary General BMP, Haji Ghulam Ali said business community are on the roads in all major cities of the country but FPCCI officials are involved in an intense power struggle which is damaging the institution from the last two to three years. Similarly the government is also not ready to give them any importance.
Central Spokesperson of BMP, Ahmad Jawad told to media men "we have taken the unanimously decision to contest the elections in order to restore the confidence of the deprived business community and we have also given back the offer of United Business Group (UBG) for Alliance or seat adjustment with a word of thank you" three days back. He said BMP believes that democracy should prevail in the Federation, and democracy may help to improve the sanctity of this body which is now days vital for the business community in order to resolve their issues which was pending because the main role of FPCCI is to create a bridge between the stake holders so that government should know the real insight of the situation but they failed to till date.
The BMP officials further believed business community also needs business friendly perception; as majority of the community felt there was no change in the 'ease of doing business which we have to taken up the with the government with proper road map after assuming the charge of the FPCCI.