By Commerce Reporter
LAHORE: The Vision Alliance and its presidential candidate Ali Hussam Asghar received a major boost ahead of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) elections after prominent businessman Khawaja Shahzaib Akram announced his departure from PIAF and pledged full support for the alliance in the September 23 and 24 polls.
Akram made the announcement while addressing a gathering at Royal Palm attended by a large number of representatives from Lahore’s business community, industrial and trade associations, LCCI election candidates and supporters.
The development adds further momentum to the Vision Alliance campaign as competing groups intensify efforts to secure support among corporate and associate-class voters ahead of the two-day LCCI election.
Akram said he would play an active role in supporting the Vision Alliance and helping its candidates, including presidential hopeful Ali Hussam Asghar, in the upcoming election.
He clarified, however, that he had not formally joined another political or chamber group following his departure from PIAF.
“I have not joined any other group yet, but I will play my full role in ensuring the success of the Vision Alliance in the September 23 and 24 elections,” Akram said.
Akram announces split with PIAF
Explaining his decision, Akram said he and his colleagues had made every effort to maintain their association with PIAF but had now decided that the time had come to part ways.
“We made every possible effort to stand by PIAF, but you did not reciprocate that loyalty,” he said, adding that it was therefore appropriate for the two sides to separate respectfully.
Akram also claimed that 27 members of PIAF’s Executive Committee had resigned and decided to support the Vision Alliance.
He further said that the PPMA and various other industrial and trade associations had assured cooperation and support.
The claims regarding the number of resignations and organisational support were made by Akram at the gathering.
Ali Hussam campaign gains momentum
The announcement is being viewed by Vision Alliance supporters as an important development for Ali Hussam Asghar’s presidential campaign, particularly as the election enters its final phase.
Akram said the Vision Alliance would work for the welfare of the business community, promotion of trade and industry and resolution of problems confronting entrepreneurs.
He said effective representation of traders and industrialists should remain a central responsibility of the Lahore Chamber.
The gathering also demonstrated the increasingly competitive nature of this year’s chamber election campaign, with representatives of various sectors and trade bodies mobilising their supporters ahead of polling.
Business leaders attend gathering
A number of prominent business figures and Vision Alliance leaders attended the event, including Mian Misbah-ur-Rehman, Khawaja Waseem Afzal, Nasir Hameed Khan, Chaudhry Muhammad Amjad, Muhammad Ibrahim, Khawaja Jahanzeb Akram, Mian Khadim Hussain, Mian Azizur Rehman Chan, Pir Syed Nazim Hussain Shah, Safdar Butt, Usman Safdar Butt, Sohail Butt, Mian Zahid Javed, Shahid Nazir and Haris Ateeq.
Vision Alliance presidential candidate Ali Hussam Asghar was also present, along with Executive Committee candidates Mardan Ali Zaidi, Hafiz Sajjad and Shahab Basharat.
Office-bearers of different industrial and trade associations, LCCI voters, candidates and media representatives also attended.
LCCI contest enters crucial phase
With polling scheduled for September 23 and 24, competing groups are stepping up outreach to Lahore’s traders, manufacturers, exporters and other sections of the business community.
The latest announcement could strengthen the Vision Alliance’s campaign by bringing Akram and his supporters behind its candidates at a crucial stage of the electoral contest.
For Ali Hussam Asghar, who is campaigning for the LCCI presidency on a platform focused on business representation and addressing issues confronting trade and industry, the public endorsement provides another opportunity to broaden his support among different sections of Lahore’s business community.
The ultimate impact of the endorsement, however, will be determined when LCCI members cast their votes on September 23 and 24.