April 06, 2007	Friday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 17, 1428

KARACHI, April 5: After lawyers, the businessmen appear to be all set for a countrywide showdown with the government on the issue of Trade Organisations Ordinance 2006.

The ordinance has already been approved by a standing committee of the National Assembly. There are strong rumours in business circles about appointment of a government administrator in the FPCCI following the resignation of its secretary-general Zahid Hussain without any apparent reason. Mr Zahid replaced Mr Amin who quit the FPCCI a few months ago.

The FPCCI leadership is locked in a deep controversy with the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said to be the oldest and premier trade body of the country. The FPCCI maintains that it represents 95 per cent of the business community. It claims to represent all chambers and trade bodies that have a government licence and elected leaders. Newspaper offices have been flooded with fax releases from various chambers to demonstrate their affiliation and solidarity with the FPCCI.

The KCCI, on the other hand maintained that the FPCCI leadership represents fake chambers and paper trade bodies. The TOO 2006 was framed on the demand of the KCCI.