Karachi trade, industry: KATI president suggests a ‘charter of demands’

KARACHI: President of the Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI) Muhammad Ikram Rajput has proposed that Karachi’s entire business community, trade bodies and industrial associations jointly prepare a ‘Charter of Demands’ and establish a strong joint committee to effectively represent the interests of industry and traders before the federal, provincial and local governments, as well as other relevant institutions and forums.

Announcing the association’s full support for the Businessmen Group (BMG) in the Karachi Chamber of Commerce Industry (KCCI) elections, Rajput said Karachi was the economic lifeline of Pakistan. Its industries not only provided employment to millions of people but also played a fundamental role in the country’s exports, tax revenues and overall economic activity, he said.

However, he regretted that Karachi’s industrial and business sectors were currently facing a number of serious challenges, and that sustainable industrial and economic growth would remain difficult without resolving these issues.

He said industry and commerce were confronted with several fundamental challenges that could not be resolved through demands alone, but required cooperation between the government and the business community.

He said that significant work had been carried out under the leadership of BMG Chairman Zubair Motiwala and Karachi Chamber President Rehan Hanif.

He particularly appreciated the Karachi Chamber’s key role in securing the rights of shopkeepers and traders affected by the Gul Plaza tragedy.

He said that the business community faced common challenges and that, through mutual understanding, unity and solidarity, the government and regulatory institutions could be persuaded to address the issues of the business community on a priority basis.

The KATI president further said that the Korangi industrial area remained actively engaged with the Karachi Chamber. As a result of joint efforts by KATI and the Karachi Chamber, the government had now directed the Chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to hold monthly meetings in Karachi to resolve traders’ issues. He also said that the office of PRAL had been completely shifted to Karachi.

He announced KATI and the United Business Group’s (UBG) full support for BMG and urged all KATI members to vote for and ensure the success of BMG candidates in the elections.

Deputy Patron-in-Chief Zubair Chhaya said that late former KATI Patron-in-Chief S M Muneer had played an important role in the establishment of BMG.

He said the Karachi Chamber’s role in securing compensation for traders following accidents in Karachi’s markets was commendable.

He said that if all industrial associations, chambers and trade bodies united on a single platform, the voice of the business community would become even stronger. He added that this was why all seven town associations of Karachi had achieved a historic level of unity, enabling them to take their voice to the highest forums and secure Karachi’s legitimate rights through collective efforts.

He said KATI would run a campaign in support of BMG in the Karachi Chamber elections. “The election process is the beauty of democracy and it should continue,” he said.

Chairman BMG Group Zubair Motiwala said that visiting KATI brought back memories of the late S M Muneer, whom he described as a dynamic and principled leader who had dedicated his life to the betterment of the business community.

He urged KATI members to vote for BMG candidates and ensure their success. He said they wanted the maximum possible participation of the business community so that the winning margin would demonstrate to the government the level of support enjoyed by the president of the Karachi Chamber.

Zubair Motiwala said the Karachi Chamber was the eighth-largest chamber in the world and that cooperation between the Karachi Industrial Forum and the Karachi Chamber would give the business community a powerful voice.

He said the private sector would have to play its role in the development of Karachi.

Motiwala further said that after the elections, the Karachi Industrial Forum (KIF) would be made active again, with its first meeting to be held at the Karachi Chamber.

He stressed the need to raise Karachi’s voice, saying that since Karachi contributed 68 percent of government revenue, its problems should be addressed on a priority basis.

He said this was the first time that all seven associations of Karachi were supporting BMG in the Karachi Chamber elections.

Karachi Chamber President Rehan Hanif paid tribute to KATI President Muhammad Ikram Rajput, saying that his dedicated efforts had enabled KATI to play a significant role in improving the economy.

He said the capacity of the Korangi industrial area had improved and that the government had allocated a total of Rs9.2 billion for development projects in industrial zones.

KITE Limited Chairman Zahid Saeed and KATI Senior Vice President Zahid Hameed also addressed the ceremony.

KATI Vice President Muhammad Talha Ali, KITE Limited CEO Saleem-uz-Zaman, former chairmen and presidents Sheikh Umer Rehan, Junaid Naqi, Masood Naqi, Johar Qandhari, Sheikh Fazal Jalil and Razzaq Paracha, BMG leaders Anjum Nisar, Mian Abrar, Tariq Yousuf and Junaid Makda, as well as corporate and associate candidates contesting the Karachi Chamber elections on the BMG platform, were also present.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026