Islamabad Chamber Elections: Traders’ Alliance and Democrats Group Express Confidence

 The chamber does not belong to any individual or group; traders burdened by taxes and high electricity costs must unite, said Agha Shiraz Malik. Resolving longstanding issues is a top priority, stated Mirza Nasir Yaqub.

Islamabad (Special Correspondent) In connection with the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry elections, Salma Barkat hosted a lavish dinner in honor of Agha Shiraz Malik, chairman of the Democrats Group, along with the Democrats candidates and traders of Islamabad. The event was attended by a large number of trader leaders, Democrats Group candidates, and executive members. The ceremony began with a Naat presented by Arian Shiraz, son of Agha Shiraz Malik. Addressing the gathering, Agha Shiraz Malik stated that the Islamabad trading community is currently going through an important phase. We must prioritize the interests of the trading community above group differences, personal interests, and political positions. The Chamber of Commerce is not the property of any one individual or group but represents the entire business community. He emphasized that those who claim to represent traders should focus on strengthening unity, consultation, and democratic traditions instead of creating divisions within the trading community. We do not view dissent as enmity; disagreement is the beauty of any democratic system, however, no compromise can be made on the collective interests of the trading community. Agha Shiraz Malik further stated that the increasing pressure of taxes, electricity and gas expenses, business difficulties, and government policies have already put traders in severe trouble. In such circumstances, traders should raise their issues before the government in a united and vigorous manner instead of getting entangled in mutual disagreements.

He clarified that our struggle is not against any individual but for the rights of traders. Whoever stands for the unity, dignity, and rights of the trading community will have the central organization of traders in Pakistan standing with them. On this occasion, Mirza Nasir Yaqub, General Secretary of the Democrats Group, welcomed the participants and stated that the primary purpose of participating in the chamber elections is to resolve the longstanding issues of the trading community and to effectively defend the rights of the business class. He appealed to traders to use their votes wisely to elect the Democrats Group candidates and play their role in the process of change. During the dinner, trader leaders and executive members of the Democrats Group also emphasized the urgent need for mutual communication, unity, and joint efforts to solve the problems of the business community. The ceremony also featured speeches from Abdul Quddus Swati, Aziz Malik, Muhammad Rizwan, Tabish Mahboob Jutt, Sardar Munir, Sardar Amjad Khan, Farukh Saeed, Raja Bilal Zahid, Mukhtar Abbas, Asif Mahmood, Sheikh Saleem, Muhammad Hashim Rashid, Taimoor Shafiq, Asad Mahmood, Syed Mastanir Al-Hussaini, and others.