RAWALPINDI: The Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) has elected its new office-bearers for the 2024-26 term.

As per the results, Usman Shaukat has been elected president, Khalid Farooq Qazi as senior vice president, and Fahad Barlas as vice president - all uncontested in the RCCI Elections.

On the reserved seats for women entrepreneurs, Falak Anjum and Ms Naureen were also elected uncontested. As a result, polling scheduled for September 16 for these positions will not take place.

The results were announced by a three-member election commission consisting of Tariq Mughal, Syed Rizwan Haider Mashadi and Zahoor Ahmed Malik, following the scrutiny of nomination papers.

RCCI Group Leader Sohail Altaf, Vice President Faisal Shahzad, former presidents, executive committee members, secretary general Irfan Manan Khan and other RCCI members were present on the occasion.

The participants congratulated the newly-elected officials and expressed confidence in their commitment to addressing the business community’s concerns.

RCCI Group leader Sohail Altaf remarked that the Mian Parvez Aslam group secured 93pc of the votes, stating that the propaganda and politics of the opposition had been buried as it was defeated by a significant margin.

He praised the group’s clean campaign. He added that the excellent turnover proved that the Mian Parvez Aslam Group deserves the right to represent the RCCI.

President-elect Usman Shaukat vowed to make Rawalpindi the centre of commercial activities and provide maximum facilities to the chamber’s members. He said close liaison with all relevant government institutions and business associations would be enhanced.

Published in Dawn, September 17th, 2024