Karachi (February 20, 2025) – Sohail Osman, the Chairman of All Pakistan Motorcycle Spare Parts Importers & Dealers Association (AP MASPDA), has expressed concern over the federal government’s decision to hold new elections for trade bodies in 2025. In a statement, Sohail Osman said that the mandate of all trade bodies, including Chambers of Commerce and Associations, elected in 2024, is for two years, i.e., from October 2024 to September 2026. This mandate was legally enacted and approved by the Senate of Pakistan, so the government’s new decision is unjust.
Sohail Osman further explained that AP MASPDA and all trade bodies across the country had already gone through elections in September 2024 for a two-year term. Representatives were elected democratically, in line with the federal government’s two-year term decision, and if the new government decision is implemented, the tenure of trade bodies elected for two years will be unfairly reduced to one year. This would be against the wishes of the business, industrial, and trader community and would impose unnecessary and additional financial burdens on them.
Sohail Osman clarified that the elections were held transparently, according to the Trade Bodies Ordinance, and the established legal procedure was followed. Under the new rules, holding elections in 2025 would negate the mandate given by the business community and disrupt the operations of trade organizations, especially at a time when economic stability and policy continuity are essential for the country.
Sohail Osman urged the federal government to reconsider its decision and allow the associations and chambers to complete their two-year term, which ends in September 2026.
