By, Masood Ahmed Siddiqui
KARACHI: The upcoming elections of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) are beginning to take an exciting turn, as the Businessmen Group (BMG), which holds sway over the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), has reportedly started preparing to enter the federation’s electoral contest with full force. According to trade sources, BMG is considering fielding its strongest candidate in the race. One of two former presidents of the Karachi Chamber belonging to the Memon community could potentially be nominated for the position. Sources said that an important BMG meeting to formulate an electoral strategy for the FPCCI elections was held on Wednesday at the PHMA House in Karachi. According to sources, this was the group’s third meeting on the election issue. Two previous meetings had reportedly been held at the PHMA House and at the residence of a former president. Sources further revealed that the majority of participants at Wednesday’s meeting favoured standing firm and contesting the FPCCI elections rather than withdrawing from the race. The possibility of fielding a candidate from Sindh was given particular importance during the deliberations. It may be recalled that the agreement between the United Business Group (UBG) and the Businessmen Panel (BMP) has collapsed. Meanwhile, the possibility of BMG entering the electoral contest has made the upcoming FPCCI elections even more interesting and competitive. According to sources, BMG is preparing to field its strongest contender. Meanwhile, a BMP leader, referring to those who had broken the agreement, advised them to remember the outcome of the elections in Lahore and learn lessons from past electoral results. Thursday is the last day for every chamber and association to submit two nominations each for the Executive Committee and General Body of the FPCCI for the next two-year term. The coming developments will determine whether BMG’s contender enters the electoral arena or the group withdraws at the last moment. The final date for submitting nominations for the FPCCI elections is reportedly October 15, making Thursday a particularly crucial day in the electoral process. Trade circles are also speculating that if BMG fields its candidate in the FPCCI elections, a new group could emerge to challenge BMG in the Karachi Chamber elections two years from now.
