Ban overturned: Provincial commerce association allowed to vote in FPCCI elections

PHC says federal body cannot ban KPCCI from casting its ballot

PESHAWAR:

The Peshawar High Court on Friday allowed the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KPCCI) to participate in the upcoming elections of the Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI). The poll is scheduled for December 29.

The decision was taken by Justice Yahya Afridi as he heard a petition filed by KPCCI. The provincial body had challenged the FPCCI’s decision to ban it from voting in the election.

KPCCI’s counsel Shumail Ahmad Butt told the court the chamber nominated Haji Afzal to vote on its behalf in the elections for FPCCI president and other officer bearers. However, the FPCCI banned KPCCI’s nominee, saying he had previously held the position of vice president and could not exercise his vote.

The court was told the objection of the FPCCI was invalid and any businessmen associated with a chamber or trade association can utilise their vote if nominated for the purpose.



The counsel for the petitioner said the federal body does not have the right to stop the province from casting its vote.

After hearing the arguments, the court allowed interim relief to the KPCCI and suspended FPCCI’s notification that banned Haji Afzal from voting on behalf of the province.

The court also issued notices to the federal government and FPCCI to submit their written replies to explain the imposition of the ban. January 14 was fixed as the next date of hearing.

Polls to elect office bearers of the FPCCI will be held on December 29 at its head office in Karachi and results are to be announced on December 31.

Voting will take place for the posts of president and senior vice presidents. Four vice presidents representing the chamber of commerce and industries from Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab will also be elected in addition to four vice presidents representing the association of trade and industry.

As per the rotation rules, the next president will be elected from Punjab and so far four candidates, including Mian Muhammad Adress, Sheikh Muhammad Aslam, Mian Anjum Nisar and Dr Noman Idris Butt have come to the fore.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 27^th, 2014.