All quiet on the FPCCI election front

The din and thunder usually witnessed at the time of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) elections is not being heard though the election process has entered its last phase for the January-December 2011 term.
The existence of two rival groups, Businessmen Forum (BF) led by Senator Ilyas Bilour and Businessmen Penal (BP) led by the resilient Tariq Sayeed used to generate lot of fireworks before and after the elections but this year with the sudden "demise" of BF, it would be a lacklustre event all the way.
BF members received the biggest jolt last month when Ghulam Ahmed Bilour assured Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman that his younger brother Senator Ilyas Bilour will not come in the way of Senator Ghulam Ali, a nominee of BP for the office of President, FPCCI. Senator Ghulam Ali is closely related to Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman.
Since there is no candidate to oppose him, Senator Ghulam Ali stands elected pending official announcement. Official announcement of members of executive committee and results of office-bearers, President and seven Vice-Presidents of FPCCI for the term 2011 will be made at the annual general body meeting scheduled to be held here on December 30 at Federation House.
While talking to Business Recorder here several BF members complained that no group meeting was ever called to take members into confidence over the issue and the decision was taken unilaterally. This single action has divided the group which almost is non-existent now.
Following these developments Tariq Sayeed, considered a prelate in trade politics, must be feeling relaxed and pleased with the situation where his nominees would occupy the seats in the apex trade body without any opposition or contest. Although it took him a bit longer to washout his rivals from the arena which was considered slippery, he has done it now and defeated all the conspiracies that were hatched against him, year after year, to dislodge him from the position he enjoyed where businessmen looked up to him as their un-challenged mentor and guide.
The FPCCI elections are spread over several months. The process started with the issuance of notice to the member trade bodies inviting their nominations for the executive committee and general body of FPCCI by November 15. December 24 was the last date for receipt of nominations for the election of office-bearers, duly proposed and seconded by the executive committee members and signed by the candidates to the election commission.
Tariq Sayeed enjoys explicit support and confidence of experienced campaigners like S.M.Muneer and Iftikhar Ali Malik, both former Presidents of FPCCI. They have always put their weight behind him and lent required support throughout.
All those who had opposed Tariq Sayeed stand disjointed today. Siraj Kasam Teli who projected himself to be the king maker in trade politics has been confined to Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) where with the support of a particular group he wields influence. Past events have proved that he is not capable of stretching himself beyond KCCI.