Govt Ends Power Struggle At P@SHA, Sajjad Syed Restored As Chairman

The leadership crisis at the Pakistan Software Houses Association for IT & ITES (P@SHA) concluded when the Directorate General of Trade Organisations (DGTO) reinstated Sajjad Mustafa Syed as chairman. In an August 28 order, the DGTO annulled a no-confidence resolution passed against Syed at the group's August 22 Central Executive Committee meeting, declaring it "null and void ab initio."

The regulator also rescinded the August 24 decision that had removed Syed and appointed Muhammad Umair Nizam as acting chairman. Syed has been reappointed as P@SHA's lawful chairman for the remainder of his 2024-26 term.

The dispute stemmed from an eight-vote no-confidence motion that failed to meet the necessary legal threshold for removal. According to the order, P@SHA's CEC has 12 members, meaning a three-fourths majority of nine affirmative votes was required. Instead, the motion received only eight votes. Additionally, one of the member's votes was deemed invalid as they benefited directly from Syed's removal by taking over as acting chairman, which reduced the valid affirmative votes to seven.

The regulator found major procedural issues with the vote, including the introduction of the no-confidence motion as an unscheduled floor motion during a meeting called to discuss an NCCIA-related matter, and the lack of advance notice and proper due process. Consequently, the CEC resolution and the August 24 notification were set aside. While the regulator did not permanently prevent P@SHA's CEC from attempting to remove Syed, it outlined a procedure for any future no-confidence attempts.

The CEC must submit a formal written request, provide at least seven days' notice with the specific agenda and proposed resolution, and secure nine votes out of the 12-member committee. The regulator also directed P@SHA's leadership to comply with an existing 30-day amicable dispute resolution process. This means the August 24 leadership change has effectively been erased, restoring Syed as chairman.

However, P@SHA's internal leadership battle remains unresolved, with the CEC allowed to pursue fresh removal attempts under the new legal and procedural guidelines set by the DGTO.