WNAM REPORT: Patron-in-Chief of the United Business Group (UBG), S.M. Tanveer, has said that his nomination for the presidency of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) is a great honour. He expressed confidence that, following victory in the upcoming elections, UBG would form a strong, competent and dynamic team capable of effectively presenting the concerns of the business community, industrialists and traders before the government and ensuring meaningful dialogue on economic and business-related challenges.
He said that the remarkable gathering of Executive Committee (EC) and General Body (GB) members in Islamabad, made possible through the dedicated efforts of Zafar Bakhtawari and Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari, had further strengthened confidence in UBG’s victory. He added that December 17 would merely be a formal confirmation of the group’s success.
He was addressing a dinner hosted in his honour by Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari, Member of the UBG Central Core Committee, as part of the FPCCI election campaign. More than 75 EC and GB members attended the gathering. Participants observed that such a large number of EC and GB members had never before assembled at a single event in support of S.M. Tanveer, reflecting the growing confidence and overwhelming support for his candidature. Participants also appreciated the efforts and outstanding organisational performance of Zafar Bakhtawari and Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari in arranging the event.
Addressing the gathering, S.M. Tanveer said that the objective would be to ensure that the government seriously listens to the voice of the business community and engages in result-oriented discussions on the challenges facing the economy, trade and industry. Instead of establishing an excessive number of committees, he urged all EC and GB members to consult their respective chambers and associations and establish clear, measurable targets for the next two years. He proposed holding review meetings every three months to assess progress and monitor the achievement of agreed objectives. He further emphasised setting specific targets for the first 100 days, expressing confidence that a coordinated strategy and collective efforts would lead to success.
UBG President Zubair Tufail said that S.M. Tanveer was a hardworking, talented and dynamic business leader who had travelled extensively across the country, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, playing a significant role in uniting the business community and strengthening UBG. He said that the global and domestic economic environment had become increasingly uncertain due to the Iran-US war, making it essential for Pakistan to have capable leadership that could steer the business community through challenging circumstances and put the economy on the path to recovery. He added that S.M. Tanveer, following in the footsteps of his late father, S.M. Munir, understood the challenges of trade and industry and possessed the experience, commitment and leadership qualities required to take UBG and FPCCI forward. He also extended his advance congratulations to him.
President UBG Islamabad Abdul Rauf Alam said that S.M. Tanveer had breathed new life into the organisation in his capacity as Patron-in-Chief and was now the group’s candidate for FPCCI President. He expressed confidence that the December 17 election would prove to be a historic and one-sided contest, with S.M. Tanveer securing victory by a substantial margin. He described Zafar Bakhtawari as a valuable asset of UBG and appreciated Ahsan Bakhtawari’s outstanding performance as President of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI). He urged the UBG Federal Core Committee to consider Ahsan Bakhtawari for the important position of Senior Vice President FPCCI in recognition of his capabilities and services.
Chairman Founder Group Sheikh Tariq Sadiq congratulated S.M. Tanveer on his nomination for the FPCCI presidency and described Ahsan Bakhtawari as an intelligent, capable and talented business leader. He appreciated Ahsan Bakhtawari’s historic contributions during his presidency of ICCI and his efforts to resolve the problems of the business community. He urged the Federal Core Committee to select Ahsan Bakhtawari as the candidate for Senior Vice President FPCCI, saying that his experience and abilities made him highly suitable for the position. He assured his full support and pledged to run a vigorous election campaign alongside S.M. Tanveer and Ahsan Bakhtawari.
Former FPCCI President Zubair Ahmed Malik said that three individuals associated with Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry had previously served as FPCCI Presidents, and all had made valuable contributions to the institution. He said that S.M. Tanveer had received excellent upbringing and guidance from his late father, S.M. Munir, making him an outstanding choice for the FPCCI presidency. He also endorsed Ahsan Bakhtawari for the position of Senior Vice President FPCCI, appreciating his remarkable performance during his two-year tenure as ICCI President. He expressed confidence that Ahsan Bakhtawari would meet the expectations of the business community at the national level as well. He urged the Core Committee to nominate him on merit and said that despite his health constraints, he was prepared to travel from Khyber to Karachi to support Ahsan Bakhtawari’s election campaign.
Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari, Member of the UBG Central Core Committee, said that Atif Ikram Sheikh had rendered excellent services during his three-year tenure as FPCCI President, while Sheikh Tariq Sadiq was leading ICCI with distinction. He said that S.M. Tanveer had been serving the business community for the past four years and was receiving widespread recognition and support as a candidate for the FPCCI presidency. He expressed confidence that under S.M. Tanveer’s leadership, effective measures would be taken to resolve the problems of traders and industrialists and extended his advance congratulations.
Ahsan Bakhtawari proposed that the FPCCI President should be made a member of the FBR Policy Board and be accorded the status of Minister of State for Commerce, enabling the business community to have effective representation at the highest levels of government policymaking. He stressed the need to eliminate harassment of traders and industrialists, review measures such as smart lockdowns, and address the challenges facing small and large industries through effective and sector-specific policies.
President UBG Punjab Aamir Atta Bajwa said that Ahsan Bakhtawari should be nominated as the candidate for Senior Vice President FPCCI and assured that a vigorous election campaign would be launched in his support. He said that S.M. Tanveer was carrying forward the legacy and traditions of his late father and serving the business community with dedication. He expressed confidence that the entire UBG team would work wholeheartedly for his victory and that he would win by a substantial margin.
UBG Sindh Secretary General Hanif Gohar said that UBG would secure a decisive victory in the December 17 elections. Extending his advance congratulations to S.M. Tanveer, he also urged the leadership to consider Ahsan Bakhtawari for the important position of Senior Vice President FPCCI, acknowledging his suitability for the role.
Former ICCI President Khalid Iqbal Malik expressed his best wishes for S.M. Tanveer’s success, describing him as a committed business leader dedicated to serving the business community. He said that Ahsan Bakhtawari had delivered exceptional results during his two-year tenure as ICCI President. He highlighted the important initiatives undertaken by the ICCI Council for the institution’s improvement and appreciated the council members for providing effective leadership to the business community through their sound policies. He urged the UBG Federal Core Committee to recognise Ahsan Bakhtawari’s services and capabilities and nominate him for Senior Vice President FPCCI.
Group Leader of Vehari Chamber of Commerce and former FPCCI Vice President Zahid Iqbal Chaudhry also endorsed Ahsan Bakhtawari’s nomination for Senior Vice President FPCCI. He described him as a highly capable and experienced business leader and expressed confidence that, through his experience, commitment and hard work, Ahsan Bakhtawari would take FPCCI to new heights of progress and achievement.
