KARACHI: In a major political realignment ahead of the upcoming Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) elections, the Businessmen Group (BMG) and Businessmen Panel (BMP), have joined hands to jointly contest the elections and announced plans to challenge the nomination of S. M. Tanveer, the presidential candidate of United Businessman Group (UBG).
Zubair Motiwala, Chairman, BMG and Mian Anjum Nisar, Chairman, BMP jointly announced the formation of the Pakistan Businessmen Alliance (PBA) at a press conference here on Thursday. They also demanded that the FPCCI elections be held under the supervision of a retired judge and called for their representation on the election committee to ensure a free, fair and transparent electoral process.
They said that PBA to contest on President’s position as well as all other available positions and Zubair Motiwala will be candidate for the president slot. They expressed commitment to democratic principles, transparency, fairness and the protection of the legitimate electoral rights of the business community.
Motiwala and Anjum said the PBA was formed following the rejection of nomination papers of the Karachi Chamber and other candidates by the FPCCI Secretary General, raising concerns over electoral fairness, transparency and Sindh’s representation in the apex trade body.
They said the two groups had joined hands to contest the upcoming elections jointly, ensuring that no trade body is deprived of its legitimate electoral rights and that the process follows FPCCI rules, democratic principles and established provincial rotation arrangements.
They emphasised that the alliance between BMG and BMP would not remain confined to the forthcoming FPCCI Elections 2027-28 but would continue as a long-term partnership to jointly address the pressing economic challenges confronting the country.
They said that both groups would work together beyond the electoral arena to advocate meaningful economic reforms, promote industrialisation, enhance exports, attract investment, generate employment and resolve the persistent issues affecting the business community.
They stressed that Pakistan’s current economic challenges demand unity, collective wisdom and a coordinated approach, adding that their partnership would provide a stronger and unified platform to engage with the government and relevant institutions on matters of national economic importance, with the larger objective of strengthening Pakistan’s economy and safeguarding the country’s broader interests.
Referring to the controversy surrounding the proposed candidature against the backdrop of Sindh’s rotational turn, Zubair Motiwala raised serious questions about the individual’s alleged electoral and organisational associations with Punjab. He maintained that the previous turn had been allocated to the federal region and that the forthcoming turn rightfully belonged to Sindh.
He maintained that documentary evidence relating to the individual’s voting record, previous electoral participation and positions held in Punjab must be examined before any claim of representation from Sindh is accepted.
He particularly referred to the alleged change in the individual’s electoral record with the Election Commission of Pakistan in October 2025 and called for the relevant documents to be made available for verification.
He emphasised that provincial entitlement must be determined through verifiable records, the originating trade organisation and the applicable provisions, rather than merely relying on an individual’s residential or business address.
He called upon chambers, trade associations and all stakeholders who believe in democratic principles, institutional fairness and transparent electoral practices to stand together in defense of the rotational system and the legitimate rights of Sindh.
“Karachi is a major pillar of Pakistan’s economy, contributing more than 67 percent of national revenue and 54 percent of the country’s exports. Its economic importance and Sindh’s legitimate claim under the rotational arrangement cannot be overlooked. Denying the province its rightful opportunity is not an issue that can be taken lightly. We must stand together to protect our representation and ensure that the principles governing FPCCI’s elections are respected,” he stated.
Reaffirming resolve, Motiwala stated that they would vigorously defend the institutional rights of KCCI and the legitimate representation of the business community through all available legal and regulatory forums, if required. “We have reached a point where remaining silent is no longer an option, hence, we decided to contest the forthcoming FPCCI elections,” he added.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026