KCCI rejects FPCCI decision to disqualify nominations, seeks DGTO review

KARACHI (News Desk): The Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has rejected the decision of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Secretary General to disqualify its nominations for the 2027–28 elections, terming the action unfair and disproportionate and demanding its immediate withdrawal.

In a statement issued on Monday, KCCI President Talat Mahmood questioned the legal grounds for rejecting the nominations through an order dated October 31, 2026, and called for an impartial review by the Directorate General of Trade Organisations (DGTO), Ministry of Commerce.

Mahmood said the nominations had primarily been rejected because KCCI had not purchased membership certificate books directly from FPCCI, despite submitting the required nomination papers and supporting documents. He argued that a dispute over the source of certificate books could not automatically justify disqualifying nominations of a licensed trade organisation without establishing the relevant legal provisions.

He also objected to the use of the term “Bogus” for KCCI’s membership certificates, describing the wording as derogatory, unwarranted and damaging to the chamber’s institutional credibility.

According to the KCCI president, the FPCCI decision acknowledged the submission of nomination papers, resolutions, membership certificates, identification documents, tax records, election results and membership registers. However, despite recognising the submission of these documents, the nominations were rejected over the issue of membership certificate books.

Mahmood maintained that KCCI had been printing its membership certificate books through the Pakistan Security Printing Corporation (PSPC) since October 2014, following an established practice and using the same printing institution as FPCCI.

He said the arrangement had continued for years without objection, with membership certificates issued in accordance with the chamber’s licensing framework and established procedures.

“It is surprising that nearly a dozen FPCCI elections have been held since 2014 without a single objection being raised against the validity or authenticity of KCCI’s membership certificates, making the sudden challenge to their legitimacy all the more questionable,” he said.

The KCCI president questioned whether the requirement to purchase certificate books directly from FPCCI had a clear statutory or regulatory basis. He also called on the federation to clarify whether the requirement had been applied consistently to all affiliated trade organisations and whether any alleged non-compliance could legally result in the rejection of election nominations.

Separately, Mahmood questioned the rejection of Muhammad Rehan Hanif’s nomination to the FPCCI General Body on the grounds that he allegedly belonged to the Corporate Class rather than the Associate Class.

He said the matter should be examined independently by assessing the nominee’s actual business status, membership records and applicable eligibility criteria, along with the clarifications provided by DGTO.

Calling for regulatory intervention, Mahmood urged DGTO to take immediate notice of the matter and conduct an impartial review under the Trade Organizations Act, 2013.

He stressed that the FPCCI decision should be examined against the applicable legal framework and complete documentary record, rather than relying on procedural objections without establishing their legal consequences.

The KCCI president demanded that FPCCI identify the precise statutory provisions, regulatory requirements or directives on which it had based its decision. He also called for a review by the competent authority and reconsideration of the chamber’s nominations on their individual merits.

He further urged the regulator to examine whether the relevant rules and requirements had been applied uniformly and impartially to all member trade organisations participating in the electoral process.

Mahmood warned that KCCI would defend its institutional rights and the legitimate representation of its members through all available legal and regulatory forums, including DGTO, the Ministry of Commerce and competent courts, if necessary.

“We demand an immediate, impartial and reasoned review of this decision. KCCI will not accept the blanket rejection of its nominations without clear and legally sustainable justification. The rules must be applied fairly, the evidence examined objectively, and the legitimate electoral rights of trade organisations protected,” he said.