Traders reluctant to side with any political party

[LahoreEstate]

Tuesday, March 03, 2009
By Mansoor Ahmad

LAHORE

THE local businessmen are hesitant to show unison in supporting PML-N in its protest against the disqualification of Sharif brothers though two former presidents of Lahore Chamber have resigned from their posts after Shahbaz Sharifís removal as Punjab chief minister.

The News has learnt that leading trade associations held a marathon meeting on the issue of openly favouring Sharif brothers in their struggle against the present regime. Almost all of them privately expressed their resentment against the disqualification of what they termed the most popular leaders of the country. However, they want to retain their image as apolitical entity and do not desire to come in the open. It was also learnt that leading businessmen also attended a function in on Sunday where Principal Officer US Consulate Bryan Hunt was also present and discussed at length with them the current political situation in Pakistan.The staunch supporters of Sharif brothers are making hectic efforts to garner open support for the besieged PML-N leaders. However, the sane elements among the businessmen advised their hawkish colleagues not to further heat up the situation. They said that the strike or protest by the businessmen would send wrong signal to the investors. They told them that their indulgence would have little impact on the campaign of Sharifs against the present government. However, their active involvement would further dampen the business climate in the country.

Most of the leaders of trade associations however said that anyone of them was at liberty to support or oppose the stance of PML-N but they should not drag trade associations in this process. They convinced them that it was in the interest of the national economy that the trade associations do not take side with any political party.

The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry which is the premier chamber of the country had elected presidents who were active members of different political parties. However, in their dealings with government all the presidents gave the government advice based on ground realities and in the best interest of the economy. In recent years, PML-N leader Ishaq Dar was elected president of LCCI. Mian Misbah Rehman, a close associate of Benazir and PPP leader headed the LCCI during the Musharraf regime. Former LCCI president Pervaiz Hanif, a PPP sympathiser in 90s operated neutrally while dealing with the government opposed to PPP. Former LCCI President Mian Shafaqt Ali was a minister in the last interim government of Punjab. The incumbent president, Mian Muzaffar has a soft corner for Shahbaz but he has refused to be dragged into political fight going on in the streets.

Former LCCI President Mian Mohammad Ali showered praise on the economic managers of Musharraf regime. Shaukat Aziz and Salman Shah visited the chamber during his tenure. He managed a rousing reception for Shahbaz Sharif at the function organised on Independence Day at Allama Iqbal Complex. He was rewarded chairmanship of Punjab Industrial Estates. He resigned from this post after removal of the Shahbaz government. Yawar Irfan was another former president of LCCI on excellent terms with former Punjab governor Khalid Maqbool, a true Musharraf loyalist but he was appointed by Shahbaz Sharif as chairman of Chief Ministerís Task Force on SMEs. He has also resigned after the removal of the Shahbaz government.

The News has learnt that small traders are more vocal in supporting the Sharif brothers and they are likely to observe any strike call given by them. The big businesses however would stay neutral though many of them might extend covert support to their cause.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=165429