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Business Recorder
30-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
LCCI polls 2024: Commerce secy upholds DGTO's decision
LAHORE: The Commerce secretary has upheld the decision of the Director General Trade Organizations, declaring the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry elections held in 2024 as completely transparent and in accordance with the law. This was stated during a press conference at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry by LCCI President Mian Abuzar Shad, Senior Vice President Engineer Khalid Usman, Vice President Shahid Nazir Chaudhry, former presidents Mian Anjum Nisar and Muhammad Ali Mian, former Senior Vice President Ali Hussam Asghar, former Vice President Faheem-ur-Rehman Saigol and Chief Election Commissioner Nasrullah Mughal. Executive Committee Members were also present on the occasion. They said that the LCCI elections were held on September 23 and 24, 2024, with overwhelming participation from Lahore's business community, resulting in a historic victory for the PPP Alliance. The business community exercised its democratic right and elected their representatives with full enthusiasm. 'While the business community had already given their verdict on the election days, a few individuals chose to challenge the results before the DGTO in an attempt to create controversy,' they added. They said that the DGTO thoroughly heard both sides with patience, impartiality, and integrity. After examining all the evidence, including documents, videos, and election records, the DGTO issued a detailed verdict declaring the LCCI elections to be free, fair, and strictly in accordance with the rules and regulations. In the spirit of fairness, the DGTO also ordered a recount of votes, which we accepted wholeheartedly,' they said. 'The recount confirmed the same result as the original election. They said that despite this, the opposing group further appealed to the Secretary Commerce. We highly appreciate secretary Commerce who conducted a six-hour hearing, listened to both parties in detail, analyzed all evidence and ground realities, and finally endorsed the DGTO's decision. They said that this decision is not just a victory for a group but a triumph of principles, democratic values, and institutional integrity. It proves that our institutions are becoming stronger, the system is active, and truth can never be hidden. They said that we are not power-hungry or obsessed with titles, we are here with a spirit of service. The trust placed in us by the business community is a sacred responsibility. 'We have no personal enmity with anyone, but if anyone tries to weaken the Chamber's system, we will respond strongly within the framework of the Constitution and the law', they said. They extended heartfelt gratitude to their team members, supporters, voters, business leaders and elders. This is a collective success, and now we must move forward with unity and resolve. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
DGTO issues injunctive order against PSMA Central elections
ISLAMABAD: The Director General Trade Organizations (DGTO) has issued injunctive order against the elections of Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) Central on the complaint of PSMA (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), disallowing the current body to function. According to the order signed by the DGTO, Bilal Khan Pasha, a petition of April 18, 2025 was lodged by the Complainant Rizwan Ullah Khan (Chairman, KPK Region and member of the Central Executive Committee of the Pakistan Sugar Mills Association) challenging the legality of an election conducted by the retired Executive Committee (2022-24). Asim Ghani Usman and eleven others were made party in the complaint. The order states that copies of the complaint and a notice of hearing for April 29, 2025 at 1400 hrs were dispatched by courier and e-mail on April 23, 2025, with delivery confirmations on file. Zaka elected PSMA-Centre chief On April 29, 2025 the Complainant and counsel attended; no Respondent or authorised representative appeared and no written reply has been received. After the hearing concluded, the office received a letter of April26, 2025 from Taimoor Aslam Khan, Advocate Supreme Court, on behalf of the Respondents. Relying on an appeal pending before the Islamabad High Court (CMA No 02 of 2025 in an appeal under Section 21(4) TOA 2013), the letter sought an adjournment sine die on the ground that the present dispute is sub-judice. The DGTO said that the letter, however, does not explain the Respondents' failure to appear on April 29, 2025 despite due service, adding that the Complainant has prima facie established urgency and potential irreparable harm, as the Respondents are reportedly functioning as office bearers of PSMA on the basis of an election declared illegal in the complaint. The DGTO further stated that the respondents' failure to appear or respond to correspondence raises concerns about procedural fairness and compliance with statutory obligations under the Trade Organisations Act, 2013 and Rules, 2013. 'Allowing such actions to proceed before adjudication risks irreparable prejudice, possible third-party complications, and frustration of any eventual relief,' the Order said. The Respondents' silence and non-attendance, despite duly-served notice, justify interim protection of the Association's affairs. The interim order of January20, 2025 of the Islamabad High Court merely declares that 'any election held pursuant to the impugned order shall be subject to the final outcome of the instant appeal.' It neither stays the working of PSMA nor restrains this office from exercising its statutory powers under Section 14 of TOA 2013 regarding events that transpired after 30 September 2024. Consequently, the plea to adjourn these proceedings sine die is misconceived and is hereby declined. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
