ISLAMABAD: Democracy Group Chairman Agha Shiraz Basharat has urged the business community to rise above group differences, personal interests and politics of positions and support the Democracy Group in the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) elections for the unity and rights of traders.
He was speaking at a dinner hosted by Salma Barkat in honour of Agha Shiraz Basharat, Democracy Group candidates and members of the Islamabad business community in connection with the ICCI elections.
A large number of trader leaders, Democracy Group candidates and executive members attended the gathering. Arian Shiraz, son of Agha Shiraz, recited Naat in praise of the Holy Prophet (PBUH).
Addressing the participants, Agha Shiraz said the business community of Islamabad was passing through an important phase and there was a need to give priority to the collective interests of traders.
He said the Chamber of Commerce was not the property of any individual or group, but an institution representing the entire business community.
“Those claiming to represent traders should strengthen unity, consultation and democratic traditions instead of creating divisions within the business community,” he said.
Agha Shiraz said differences of opinion were part of democracy and should not be treated as enmity. However, he added that no compromise could be made on the collective interests of the business community.
He said traders were already facing serious difficulties due to rising taxes, increasing electricity and gas costs, business-related challenges and government policies. In such circumstances, he said, the business community should set aside its differences and jointly raise its issues with the government.
“Our struggle is not against any individual; it is for the rights of traders. Whoever stands for the unity, dignity and rights of the business community, the Central Organisation of Traders of Pakistan will stand with them,” he said.
Democracy Group Secretary-General Mirza Nasir Yaqoob welcomed the participants and said the primary objective of contesting the chamber elections was to resolve the longstanding problems faced by traders and effectively safeguard the interests of the business community.
He urged traders to use their votes wisely and support Democracy Group candidates to bring about positive change in the chamber.
Other speakers at the dinner, including Abdul Quddus Swati, Aziz Malik, Muhammad Rizwan, Tabish Mehboob Jutt, Sardar Munir, Sardar Amjad Khan, Farrukh Saeed, Raja Bilal Zahid, Mukhtar Abbas, Asif Mahmood, Sheikh Saleem, Muhammad Hashim Rashid, Taimur Shafiq, Asad Mahmood and Syed Mustaneer-ul-Hasni, also stressed the need for greater coordination and unity among traders and joint efforts to address the problems of the business community.
