Karachi Chamber’s ruling business elite is now in hot water after looking at their defeat in KCCI elections 2024,moved them to knock on the doors of SIndh High Court to postpone the elections .
Karachi’s business community is in the midst of a turbulent Chamber of Commerce election for the 2024-2026 term. According to Salim Kapadia,Presidential candidate of the Businessmen’ Alliance (BMA), this election marks a pivotal moment for change. He accused the ruling Businessmen’s Group (BMG), which has held power in the Karachi Chamber for 25 years, of resorting to illegal and unethical means to retain its control.
Kapadia highlighted that the BMA, representing shopkeepers, small traders, importers, and trade associations, has emerged as a strong contender against BMG. Despite every member’s right to contest the elections, the ruling group has allegedly imposed barriers, such as increasing the nomination form security deposit from Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 100,000, to exclude small businesses from participation. This move was overturned by the Directorate General of Trade Organizations (DGTO), who ordered the deposit to be restored to Rs. 15,000.
Kapadia also described several other irregularities. BMG allegedly released its list of candidates before scrutiny and refused to issue serial numbers to BMA candidates until intervention from the DGTO. Further tensions arose when a large police presence was called to intimidate BMA members, though this tactic ultimately failed, and the serial numbers were finally issued and DGTO warned BMG to avoid such violations
In addition to the nomination process, Kapadia accused BMG of providing the BMA with incomplete voter lists, lacking proper addresses and contact information. BMG leader openly admitted in a TV interview that they would not hand over complete records, claiming the membership lists were the result of 25 years of their hard work.
Another key issue raised by Kapadia is the misuse of seats reserved for small businessmen. Despite DGTO guidelines, which mandate separate elections for small businessmen and industrialists, BMG has allegedly merged these categories, allowing industrialists to occupy seats meant for small traders. Kapadia warned that BMA reserves the right to challenge this in court.
BMG’s collection of an illegal membership fee of Rs. 5,000, rather than the legally mandated Rs. 1,250. Chairman of BMG, a government employee and director at K-Electric, for his role in policies that have harmed the domestic users, such as overbilling and load shedding ,Where as some some factories owned by KCCI Patron In Chief Zubair Motiwala are not paying KE bill revealed by one of the BMA leader Sharjel Goplani in a Tv program ,Weekend Affair at Venus Tv.
Goplani emphasized that only genuine businesspeople should hold positions in the chamber, not individuals involved in illegal activities or those patronizing mafias. He urged small businessmen to vote for BMA, promising reforms that would improve infrastructure, law enforcement, and public services for traders.
BMGians forcibly occupy small businessmen’s seats, Kapadia believes the BMA can transform the Karachi Chamber into an organization that truly serves the business community and ensures the respect and welfare of ordinary traders, he concluded .
BMG Spoke person A.Q Khalil refused to give his version regarding the above sitution .
Caption:
Karachi Presidential Candidate BMA Salim Kapadia conducting pre – elections at KCCA head Office in Karachi .Sharjeel Goplani,Saifullah and others are also seen in the picture .
