KCCI rejects decision of FPCCI regarding election nominations

KARACHI: The President of Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI), Talat Mahmood, has rejected the decision made by the FPCCI secretary-general on October 31, 2026, disallowing KCCI’s nominations for the FPCCI elections 2027–28, describing it as an “unjustified and disproportionate action” against the largest chamber of the country.

The decision raises serious concerns about fairness, transparency and impartiality of the electoral process, he said.

Talat Mahmood expressed grave concern that KCCI’s nominations had been rejected primarily on the grounds that the Chamber had not purchased membership certificate books from FPCCI, despite submitting the relevant nomination papers and supporting documentation.

He maintained that such a sweeping decision could not be justified without establishing its precise legal basis and examining the documentary evidence.

“The Karachi Chamber strongly rejects this decision.A dispute over the source of membership certificate books cannot automatically justify rejecting the nominations of a major, licensed trade organization without establishing the legal grounds and determining whether such a consequence is authorized under the applicable law and rules,” he stated while strongly condemning the use of the term “bogus” to describe KCCI’s membership certificates, which the Chamber considers derogatory, unwarranted and damaging to its institutional credibility.

President KCCI pointed out that the decision itself acknowledges the submission of nomination papers, resolutions, membership certificates, identification documents, tax records, election results and membership registers.

Despite acknowledging these documents, the decision proceeded to reject KCCI’s nominations over the certificate-book issue.

He categorically rejected any suggestion of procedural irregularity, emphasizing that KCCI has been printing its membership certificate books through the Pakistan Security Printing Corporation since October 2014, following an established practice and using the same printing institution as FPCCI.

This arrangement, he stated, has continued for years without any objection, with certificates issued to members in accordance with the Chamber’s licensing framework and established procedures.

“It is surprising that nearly a dozen FPCCI elections have been held since 2014 without a single objection being raised against the validity or authenticity of KCCI’s membership certificates, making the sudden challenge to their legitimacy all the more questionable.”

He further emphasized that FPCCI must clarify whether the requirement to purchase certificate books directly from it has a clear statutory or regulatory basis, whether it has been applied consistently to all affiliated trade organizations, and whether any alleged non-compliance legally warrants rejection of nominations?

Regarding separate rejection of Muhammad Rehan Hanif’s nomination to the FPCCI General Body on the grounds of his alleged classification under the Corporate Class rather than the Associate Class, Talat Mahmood said the matter must be examined independently on the basis of the nominee’s actual business status, membership records and applicable eligibility criteria in addition to clarifications given by DGTO in this regard.

Calling for regulatory intervention, President KCCI urged the Directorate General of Trade Organizations (DGTO), Ministry of Commerce, to take immediate notice and conduct an impartial review.

He stressed the importance of regulatory oversight under the Trade Organizations Act, 2013, and called for the decision to be assessed against the applicable legal framework and the complete documentary record.

He demanded that FPCCI identify the precise legal provisions or directives relied upon, that the competent authority review the decision, and that KCCI’s nominations be reconsidered on their individual merits.

He also called for an examination of whether the rules had been applied consistently and impartially to all member trade organizations.

He added that KCCI would defend its institutional rights and the legitimate representation of its members through all available legal and regulatory forums, including approaching the DGTO, the Ministry of Commerce and the competent courts, if necessary.

“We demand an immediate, impartial and reasoned review of this decision. KCCI will not accept the blanket rejection of its nominations without clear and legally sustainable justification. The rules must be applied fairly, the evidence examined objectively, and the legitimate electoral rights of trade organizations protected,” Talat Mahmood concluded.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026