UBG, BMPP agree to jointly contest FPCCI elections
KARACHI: The United Business Group (UBG) and Businessmen Panel Progressive (BMPP) have reached an electoral alliance for the upcoming Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) elections, agreeing to contest jointly, with BMPP likely to secure three key positions in the Federation.
The alliance is expected to strengthen UBG’s electoral prospects and pave the way for the victory of its presidential candidate, S.M. Tanveer.
Sources said that the BMPP has succeeded in securing its key demands in its electoral alliance with the UBG and is now poised to regain a significant role in managing Karachi’s representation at the FPCCI.
The alliance comes after a year of tensions between the two groups, during which BMPP reportedly protested what it considered unfair treatment and expressed strong reservations over its members being sidelined in the UBG-led arrangement.
In an interesting turn of events, before Zubair Motiwala entered the electoral contest, some key UBG leaders were reportedly in favour of showing BMPP the door and ending its association with the group. However, following the alliance between the Businessmen Panel (BMP) and the Businessmen Group (BMG) and the announcement of Zubair Motiwala as their presidential candidate, the political dynamics changed.
UBG leaders who had earlier favoured distancing themselves from BMPP are now having to accommodate the group and address its demands to maintain electoral unity.
Sources said that the UBG, led by S.M Tanveer and BMPP, led by Saquib Fayyaz Magoon have finalised basic fundamentals for electoral alliance with both groups deciding to contest the elections jointly once again. The two groups are expected to formally announce their electoral alliance in the coming days.
Several business groups were approaching BMPP over the past several days to explore the possibility of an electoral alliance. However, following prolonged negotiations, BMPP has finally decided to join hands with UBG for FPCCI elections.
According to sources, UBG has agreed to allocate three key positions in the Federation to BMPP. Under an earlier alliance between UBG and BMPP had also secured the positions of Senior Vice President and two Vice Presidents, which tenure is being end next month.
Besides seat adjustment, administrative and organisational matters relating to the FPCCI were also discussed during the negotiations.
According to sources, BMPP representatives raised concerns over the treatment of its elected office-bearers within the Federation, including instances of their being overlooked, not given due recognition and facing obstacles in organising programmes and other activities.
The BMPP leadership emphasised that elected office-bearers must be given due respect, recognition and authority in accordance with their positions, and that no individual or group should be given precedence over others. The issue of unelected individuals allegedly influencing decisions and exercising authority over elected office-bearers was also discussed in detail during the negotiations.
UBG has assured BMPP that its elected office-bearers would be given due respect and recognition following the elections and that no differences or unpleasant situations would be allowed to emerge between the allied groups.
BMPP’s position was weakened after UBG’s initial agreement with the Businessmen Panel, under which it was reportedly offered only one vice-presidential seat. However, following the breakdown of that agreement, BMPP regained its bargaining power as various groups approached it for an alliance, enabling it to negotiate on its own terms.
Sources further said that BMPP commands more than 65 votes and has also presented its electoral strength to UBG during the negotiations, further strengthening its position in the alliance discussions.
Business circles believe that the alliance between UBG and BMPP could significantly change the electoral dynamics of the FPCCI, potentially paving the way for the victory of UBG’s presidential candidate, S.M. Tanveer.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026