BMG Group leaders understand business issues, says Arif Habib

KARACHI: On the occasion of the ongoing Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) elections, a dinner was hosted by Premier Cables on behalf of Shoaib Ismail, Shahid Ismail, Asif Ismail, Hafiz Junaid Ismail and Muzammil Shoaib in honour of the Businessmen Group (BMG) leaders and candidates. Speaking on the occasion, Arif Habib, head of Arif Habib Group, said that BMG Group leaders understand business issues and have the ability to present them effectively before the government. He said representation at the Karachi Chamber is research-based and that BMG has a long history of serving the business community. The group has represented the interests of Karachi’s business community effectively for many years. He said Pakistan’s exports remain very low. In 1990, the dollar was worth approximately Rs20, whereas it has now risen to around Rs289, yet exports have failed to increase accordingly. He said the Ministry of Maritime Affairs needs to play a role in addressing this issue. Aqeel Karim Dhedhi said the Karachi Chamber has surpassed other chambers through its performance. He said he personally supports BMG and would cast his vote in its favour. He added that political parties also need leadership similar to BMG and expressed the desire for Zubair Motiwala to enter national politics and reach parliament. BMG Group Chairman Zubair Motiwala said the sole objective of their late leader S. M. Muneer was that whether a trader was a chamber member or not, anyone who climbed the stairs of the Karachi Chamber should have his or her work addressed, with no compromise on services. He said BMG gives equal importance and representation to all four communities—Memon, Urdu-speaking, Chinioti and Punjabi. Zubair Motiwala also introduced the BMG candidates. Shoaib Ismail said the memory of S. M. Muneer remains fresh even today and that the plant he established at the Karachi Chamber continues to flourish under BMG. He said S. M. Muneer always supported them. He added that the group’s exceptional services were reflected in the fact that BMG had not lost a single seat in KCCI elections in 27 years. KCCI President Rehan Hanif said elections are held for a purpose, but alleged that the rival group contesting the current election was participating with the intention of damaging and weakening the institution. He said it was surprising that the group opposing BMG could not prepare even 30 candidates in two years, questioning how it would be able to serve thousands of chamber members. He alleged that its objective was to weaken the institution. Javed Bilwani said Karachi Chamber has the highest record and a larger membership than the Lahore Chamber. He said 54 percent of exports and 67 percent of revenue collection come from Karachi, and therefore the central offices of institutions should be located where the greater share of revenue is generated. Tariq Yousuf said that in accordance with BMG’s policies and the principles of S. M. Muneer, they would also celebrate the group’s golden jubilee of success. Mian Abrar said the incoming team would provide positive proposals to the government for increasing exports. Anjum Nisar said the Karachi Chamber holds great importance because it understands the national economy, but regretted the deteriorating condition of Karachi. Abdul Rahim Janoo said the entire rice-exporting community (REAP) stands with BMG and expressed confidence in BMG’s victory in the Karachi Chamber elections. The dinner was attended by heads of leading small and large business enterprises from across the city, including Arif Habib, Aqeel Karim Dhedhi, Zubair Motiwala, KCCI President Rehan Hanif, Abdul Rahim Janoo, Waseem-ur-Rehman, Shaukat Sulaiman, Faisal Khalil, Abdul Razzaq Agar, Ahmed Chinoy, Faisal Moez Khan, Sheikh Muhammad Tahseen, Zubair Chhaya, Shabbir Haroon, Haji Rafiq Pardesi, Masroor Ahmed Khan, Younus Bashir, Fayyaz Ilyas, Shamim Firpo, Anjum Nisar, Tariq Yousuf, Majid Aziz, Rizwan Irfan, Darshaw Nisar, Iftikhar Ahmed Sheikh and other prominent businessmen. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

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