Zubair Motiwala and Mian Anjum Nisar announce a joint electoral platform, pledging to contest all available positions and defend Sindh’s representation under FPCCI’s provincial rotational system.
KARACHI: Businessmen Group (BMG) Chairman Zubair Motiwala and Businessmen Panel (BMP) Chairman Mian Anjum Nisar have announced the formation of the Pakistan Businessmen Alliance (PBA) to jointly contest the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) elections for 2027-28.
The alliance will contest the president’s position and all other available positions, bringing together BMG, BMP and other like-minded business groups and individuals under a common platform.
Addressing a press conference at the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on Thursday, the two business leaders said the partnership aimed to promote democratic principles, transparency, fairness and the protection of the legitimate electoral rights of the business community.
They said the decision had become necessary following recent developments involving the rejection of nomination papers submitted by KCCI and other organisations by the FPCCI Secretary General.
According to the leaders, the matter had raised concerns about procedural fairness, institutional transparency and the rightful representation of Sindh in the country’s apex trade body.
Motiwala and Nisar stressed that their alliance would extend beyond the forthcoming elections and become a long-term partnership to address Pakistan’s economic challenges.
They pledged to advocate economic reforms, promote industrialisation, increase exports, attract investment, generate employment and resolve issues confronting the business community.
BMG raises questions over provincial rotational system
Motiwala also questioned the proposed candidature of an individual in connection with Sindh’s rotational turn for FPCCI leadership.
He called for documentary evidence concerning the individual’s voting record, previous electoral participation and organisational positions in Punjab to be examined before accepting any claim of representation from Sindh.
He particularly referred to an alleged change in the individual’s electoral record with the Election Commission of Pakistan in October 2025 and demanded that relevant documents be made available for verification.
Motiwala argued that provincial representation should be determined through verifiable electoral records, the originating trade organisation and applicable rules rather than an individual’s residential or business address.
He maintained that the previous turn had been allocated to the Federal region, while the forthcoming opportunity rightfully belonged to Sindh.
He warned that disregarding the rotational arrangement could undermine equitable provincial representation and create an undesirable precedent for future FPCCI elections.
Karachi’s economic contribution highlighted
Calling on chambers and trade associations to defend Sindh’s representation, Motiwala highlighted Karachi’s contribution to Pakistan’s economy.
He claimed that Karachi accounts for more than 67% of national revenue and 54% of the country’s exports, arguing that the city’s economic importance and Sindh’s rotational entitlement should not be overlooked.
He urged business organisations to unite in support of transparent electoral procedures and the established provincial rotational mechanism.
Reaffirming the alliance’s position, Motiwala said BMG and BMP would defend KCCI’s institutional rights and the business community’s legitimate representation through available legal and regulatory forums, if necessary.
He added that the decision to contest the forthcoming elections had been taken because remaining silent was no longer an option.