PIAF vows to make strong comeback in next LCCI polls

LAHORE – The Pakistan Industrial and Traders Associations Front (PIAF) has declared its intention to reorganize its structure and make a significant resurgence in the upcoming Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) elections. This declaration was made during an Executive Committee meeting chaired by the group's Patron-in-Chief, Mian Anjum Nisar.

Nisar firmly stated that the recent election loss was not due to PIAF's shortcomings but rather because its mandate was "taken away." More than 200 members of the PIAF attended the meeting, expressing complete confidence in Nisar's leadership.

In the LCCI Corporate Class election held on September 23, the Vision Alliance emerged victorious, securing 13 out of 15 seats, while the PPBA Alliance took home two seats. The provisional results revealed a tight race at the lower end of the winning list, with PPBA's Tahir Manzoor claiming 1,478 votes, Aamir Ata Barry 1,460 votes, and Hamza Majeed 1,455 votes.

Following disputes over the counting process, a recount was conducted on October 2 with the approval of the Directorate General of Trade Organisations (DGTO). This recount adjusted certain individual vote totals but did not change the overall outcome. Tahir Manzoor's vote count increased from 1,478 to 1,483, Aamir Ata Barry's from 1,460 to 1,466, and Ali Hussam Asghar's from 1,700 to 1,697.

Nisar recounted PIAF's past election successes, asserting that the group had won numerous elections in the past and would continue to serve the business community despite its current opposition status at the LCCI. He claimed that their defeat was due to interference in the electoral process, alleging various forms of manipulation.

Nisar emphasized PIAF's strategy to prepare parallel teams ahead of the next elections, aiming to develop new leadership and ensure the organization's independence from a select few individuals. He cautioned against a concentration of power, stating, "There should not be only one Anjum Nisar, one Muhammad Ali Mian or one Faheem-ur-Rehman Saigol in PIAF." He stressed the importance of strengthening the organization at every level.

Former LCCI President Faheem-ur-Rehman Saigol, serving as PIAF Chairman, affirmed the unity within the organization during the meeting. He noted that all executive members voiced their confidence in Nisar's leadership, describing the meeting as a demonstration of complete unity within PIAF. Saigol declared this as "our victory." Other attendees included PIAF Vice Chairman Tahir Manzoor Chaudhry and former LCCI presidents Muhammad Ali Mian and Tahir Javed Malik.