KARACHI: Several trade associations and small traders on Friday announced their support for the Businessmen Group (BMG) in the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) elections scheduled for September 26.
President of the All Pakistan Organisation of Small Traders and Cottage Industries, Karachi chapter, Mehmood Hamid announced the organisation’s complete and unconditional support for BMG, saying the September 26 election would bring victory for the group.
He said BMG was founded by its former leader Siraj Qasim Teli and had always served small traders. Recalling the Bolton Market fire, in which 19 markets were destroyed, he said Teli had secured Rs3.5 billion in government assistance for the affected shopkeepers and ensured its transparent distribution, helping restore the market and revive business there.
He also recalled the Gul Plaza tragedy and said BMG’s current leader Zubair Motiwala was following in Teli’s footsteps by serving small traders.
He said the role of KCCI and BMG in the Gul Plaza tragedy had also been exemplary. Mehmood Hamid made the remarks during a visit to the BMG election office with a delegation of small traders, where he assured Vice President Javed Bilwani, Junaid Makda and Idrees Memon of their full support.
Senior Vice President of the Small Traders Association Syed Liaquat Ali said small traders had stood with BMG from the beginning and would continue to support the group. President of the Pakistan Confectionery Association Javed Abdullah said the services and cooperation extended by KCCI and BMG were a great support for small traders.
Pakistan Printing Press Association leader Usman Sheikh, Anjuman Tajiran Babar Market Landhi leader Muhammad Yaseen, Musarrat Ansari, Panorama Centre Saddar representative Asif Qaim Khani, Karachi Sports Market President Saleem Malik, Water Pump Traders Association leader Arif Ismail and Liaquatabad Grocery Association President Ansar Baig Qadri also announced their support. BMG Vice President Javed Bilwani thanked Mehmood Hamid, Syed Liaquat Ali and Javed Abdullah for the small traders’ unconditional support.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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