UBG rejects proposed shifting of FPCCI head office to Islamabad

KARACHI: United Business Group (UBG) has strongly rejected the proposed shifting of Head Office of "Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI)" from Karachi to Islamabad.

Addressing a press conference at Karachi Press Club on Wednesday, Zubair Tufail General Secretary UBG termed the proposed shifting of FPCCI head office a "deep conspiracy" against the business community of Karachi.

On the occasion, other leaders of UBG including Khalid Tawab, former Vice President FPCCI Waheed Ahmed, Rafique Suleman, former SVP Abdul Rahim Janoo, Hanif Ghohar, Haseeb Khan, Gulzar Feroz, Tariq Haleem and others were also present.

Tufial said that Karachi is the economic hub of the country and generating over 60 percent revenue for the federal government. Head offices of major economy related institutions including State Bank of Pakistan and Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDA) are located in Karachi and the sea port of this city also plays a vital role in export and import of the country.

"The final decision on this proposal will be taken in the General Body meeting of the FPPCI to be held on August 5, 2020. In the meeting, we (UBG) will strongly oppose shifting of FPCCI head office from the Karachi to Islamabad," he added.

Former president FPCCI informed that the ruling group will need some 75 percent majority votes to pass this resolution, but fortunately, they don't have the majority to shift the head office.

He said that out of 380 voters, there are some 200 voters of FPCCI are from South Zone (Sindh and Balochistan) and hopefully all of them will support us in the general body to keep the FPCCI head office in Karachi.

Tufail criticised the performance of Businessmen Panel (BMP) and said that the present leadership of the FPCCI has completely failed to resolve the problems of business community.

"The BMP's president has failed to get any financial relief package from the federal government for the business community affected by the Coronavirus Pandemic, particularly SMEs sector," he added.

Karachi's industries are facing a number of issued including load shedding and high electric tariff, but the FPCCI is silent and failed to raise the voice on these issues, he said.

"Presently, there is need to focus on business community issues through the most important trade platform, rather than shifting of FPCCI head office from Karachi. This is a conspiracy to weaken the unity of businessmen community," Tufail said.

Speaking at the press conference, Khalid Tawab informed that FPCCI head office was establish in 1958 with two rooms and now it has a beautiful multi floor building at Clifton Karachi. Beside head office, FPPCI regional offices were setup in other cities of the country to facilitate the business and industry. UBG also constructed capital office in Islamabad, where president and two vice presidents are already sitting, he added.

He said that during the last seven month performance of President FPCCI Anjum Nisar is "Zero" and even he is involved in the illegal use of FPCCI funds.

Tawab urged the federal government and Sindh government for taking action against the proposed shifting of FPCCI head office and it to be maintained at Karachi. BMP's this move will weaken the importance of national level platform and Karachi and Balochistan based businessmen will need to visit Islamabad to discuss their issues and cast vote, he added.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020