Zubair Motiwala KCCI

Zubair Motiwala Urges New KCCI Leadership to Deliver Results KARACHI: Chairman Businessmen Group (BMG) Zubair Motiwala has called on the newly elected office bearers of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) to turn their strong electoral mandate into tangible results for Karachi’s business community. Addressing KCCI’s 65th Annual General Meeting, Motiwala said greater support from the business community also carried greater responsibility, expectations and the need for collective, disciplined and measurable action. Talat Mahmood was announced as KCCI President, with Aslam Pakhali as Senior Vice President and Atif Jamil-ur-Rahman as Vice President for the 2026–28 term. Business Community Calls for Collective Action Motiwala said the election result reflected the collective efforts of KCCI members, markets, industrial associations and the wider business community. He congratulated outgoing President Muhammad Rehan Hanif, Senior Vice President Muhammad Raza and Vice President Arif Lakhani on their performance and appreciated BMG members, former office bearers and supporters for their efforts. He urged the incoming leadership to serve all stakeholders approaching KCCI while maintaining the Chamber’s institutional systems and discipline. According to Motiwala, responsibility for performance rests not only with the three office bearers but also with the Executive Committee and committee chairmen. FBR, Energy and Infrastructure Issues Among Priorities The new KCCI leadership is expected to collectively pursue unresolved business issues involving the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), gas, electricity, water and industrial infrastructure. Motiwala called for evidence-based advocacy supported by facts, documented cases and practical examples. BMG Vice Chairman Mian Abrar Ahmed also proposed appropriate KCCI representation at policymaking forums, including the Sindh Assembly and Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, to strengthen the business community’s participation in decisions affecting Karachi. Karachi Infrastructure and Civic Challenges Highlighted BMG Vice Chairman Anjum Nisar congratulated the newly elected office bearers and called for election commitments to be translated into measurable outcomes. He identified Karachi’s infrastructure, economic, civic, healthcare and education challenges as key priorities and stressed the importance of continuity throughout the two-year term. BMG Vice Chairman Jawed Bilwani also called for collective efforts to address Karachi’s infrastructure, traffic and municipal challenges, saying sustained advocacy would be required to convert longstanding demands into practical action. Industrial Infrastructure Needs Immediate Attention Mian Abrar Ahmed called for focused efforts to upgrade Karachi’s industrial infrastructure, particularly during the initial phase of the new KCCI term. He reiterated his proposal for institutional representation of KCCI at relevant policymaking forums, saying the business community’s perspective should be reflected in decisions affecting Karachi and its economy. BMG Vice Chairman Muhammad Tariq Yousuf said the election result reflected BMG’s collective efforts and continued engagement with the business community. He also urged the new leadership to maintain KCCI’s engagement with the FBR and other authorities on taxation and customs matters while focusing on solutions to business-related challenges. New KCCI President Identifies Key Priorities Newly elected KCCI President Talat Mahmood called for the full support of the Chamber’s membership, saying a united business community would strengthen KCCI’s voice. He identified infrastructure, law and order, traffic, gas and electricity as major challenges facing Karachi’s business community. Mahmood pledged to work with BMG leadership and relevant authorities to address these issues. He also proposed a technical mechanism to monitor traffic congestion on a daily basis. Karachi’s Voice to Remain a Key Focus Talat Mahmood said strengthening Karachi’s voice would be a major focus during the first six months of his tenure. He said issues would be followed through until practical action was taken rather than stopping at assurances. The new KCCI president also highlighted the need for continued engagement with the FBR, pointing to regular interaction between tax officials and the business community and the establishment of the PRAL office in Karachi as facilitation measures. Exports, Investment and Cost of Doing Business Mahmood said particular attention would be given to small traders and called for stakeholder consultation before decisions affecting market timings. He also emphasized the need to contain energy-related costs, reduce the cost of doing business, increase exports and facilitate foreign investment. The new Executive Committee, he said, should focus on genuine service rather than ceremonial activities, with performance measured through tangible results. Outgoing KCCI President Pledges Continued Support Retiring KCCI President Muhammad Rehan Hanif congratulated the incoming office bearers and thanked BMG leadership, outgoing office bearers, the Executive Committee and KCCI staff for their support during his tenure. He paid tribute to Chairman BMG Zubair Motiwala for his confidence and guidance and assured the incoming team of his cooperation. Hanif also pledged to remain committed to BMG and Karachi’s business community following the completion of his tenure.