Businessmen Panel Pledges Reform in Karachi Customs Agents Association Elections

Business Reporter

Karachi: Patron and Head of the Businessmen Panel, Iftikhar Ahmed Sheikh, has said his group’s participation in the upcoming Karachi Customs Agents Association elections is aimed at bringing “real change” and ensuring maximum benefits for members.

Addressing a luncheon hosted by Mahmood-ul-Hasan Awan, candidate for Senior Vice President, Sheikh said the full panel of 30 candidates was contesting the polls and urged members to vote for the entire slate to ensure smooth implementation of their manifesto.

“Our priority is to restore the dignity of customs agents, build strong relations with customs, shipping and terminal authorities, and promote business beyond personal interests,” Sheikh said. “We are not seeking votes for individuals, but for the panel. We will not withdraw, and victory is certain.”

He added that despite six years of attempts to cooperate with the current body, it became clear they were pursuing personal agendas, prompting his group to contest the elections. He also dismissed claims of pressure from chambers or federations, clarifying that the campaign was independent and solely focused on members’ rights.

The event was attended by a large number of prominent members of the association, including Younus Soomro, Asif Awan, Zakir Hussain, Amir Nadeem, Atif Ahmed, Shams Nadeem, Muhammad Anwar, Fahad Ali, Akhtar Ali, Zulfiqar Ahmed, Zakir Khan, Mehboob, Zafar Siddiqui, Ahmed Ali, Shamsullah, Jameel, Rehan, Muhammad Feroz, Arsalan Karim, Ghulam Muhammad, Abdul Rauf, Adnan Iqbal, Rizwan, Waheed Butt, Ghulam Rasool, Nawab Noor, Sami-ul-Haq, Muhammad Shafiq, and others.