GUJRAT, Nov 23: Activists of both Shaheen and Founder groups have urged the administrator of the Gujrat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GTCCI) to hold elections for the executive body and other offices immediately.

Federal Commerce Secretary Syed Asif Shah on Saturday dissolved the GTCCI body for ‘violations’ of the rules and regulations of the new Trade Ordinance, 2007.

Elections for the executive committee and other office-bearers of the chamber to be held on Nov 24, have also been postponed and Irshad Ahmed, the assistant director of the Trade Development Authority in Gujranwala, has been appointed administrator.

Former GTCCI President Sheikh Khawar Rafique said at a news conference the decision of the commerce secretary was unjustified and ill timed as only two days were left in the elections.

He urged Commerce Minister Makhdoom Ameen Faheem to take note of the “illegal” measures of the secretary.

Adnan Naseem Sethi, the patron of Founder Group, addressing businessmen on Sunday, accused the rival Shaheen Group of hatching conspiracies to delay the election.

He said the Shaheen Group had got chamber elections postponed through utilising its influence in the federal government. He said his group was ready for elections.

MPA Haji Nasir Mehmood, head of the Shaheen Group, told a news conference the Founder Group was responsible for the postponement of the elections and he vowed to stop any attempt to sabotage the elections.

He also urged his rival group and other stakeholders to be united to force the administrator to hold the elections soon.