KARACHI, March 7: If the future coalition government succeeds in bringing a lasting ethnic harmony and peace, the metropolis is all set to reappear on the country’s business map as a hub of industrial and trading activities.

The keen desire of the leadership of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry to bring the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) within the fold of PPP-ANP coalition in Sindh reflects their perception on a lasting harmony coming from such an arrangement. Reports from business circles say that the leadership of the apex trade body, the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry, is also seeking a meeting with the co-chairman of Pakistan People’s Party, Asif Zardari. Many of these top businessmen are in contact with the MQM leadership also.

Ilyas Bilour, a former President of the FPCCI who is closely involved in the ANP, is expected to play the role of a bridge.

So is the case with Mr Ikhtiar Baig who contested on PPP ticket from Karachi for a National Assembly seat but lost. He is also involved in cementing businessmen-politicians relationship.

There are many businessmen and traders who are in touch with the MQM. All of them are convinced that a consensus coalition will tremendously improve business environment, promote ethnic harmony and immensely contribute to overall economic development of the country.

Businessmen say that many contacts are being made by their leaders to bridge the gap between political leaders.

“Business leaders may or may not succeed, but they have been able to create an environment in which political leaders are brought under pressure to help maintain peace,’’ a business leader said.

In the last several years, when political parties, sectarian outfits, ethnic groups, transporters, shopkeepers, trade associations and chambers of commerce and industry gave calls of a strike, the labour unions were conspicuous by their silence and their reconciliation with the situation. “There has not been a single case of disturbance of industrial peace by the labour unions in at least last 10 years,’’ a trade union activist said, who attributed industrial peace to fast changing working conditions which has deprived labourers of bargaining powers and has given employers immense and unlimited powers to sack their employees on any ground.

Whatever the reasons may be, industrial peace prevailed in Karachi and other parts of the province for last eight years.

As a result, Sindh’s contribution to national economy increased from 28.2 per cent in 1999-2000 to 29 per cent in 2004-05 and should have exceeded 30 per cent in 2006-07.

“Sindh’s share in the current fiscal year 2007-08 will be near 32 per cent,’’ estimates an official.

Much of this contribution has come from industry and services sector which are mainly clustered in Karachi and around.

A Sindh government study reveals that the industry based in the province had a contribution of 37pc in national economy.

Industrial production has maintained a rising trend during the last few years as is evident from hectic activities seen in the industrial areas and port.

Businessmen perceive a drastic change in the demographic complexion of the industrial labour force in Sindh which warrants a careful handling of the situation.

“The number of rural workforce in industry of Karachi and other parts of Sindh is on the rise,’’ said a businessman.

A business manager of a textile unit at the Export Processing Zone revealed that out of 1,100 workers, he counted 650 coming from rural areas of Sindh.

“This should lead to strengthening of the much desired urban-rural linkage,’’ an entrepreneur said.

“But these are all desires and wishes that need to be transformed into economic and social relationship between all people of the province so that prosperity is shared by all segments of the population.

“Businessmen are doing their bit,’’ a business leader said who said that it was now up to the political leadership to show statesmanship, accommodation and tolerance for the greater good of the country.