RAHIM YAR KHAN: A resolution concerning the grant of voting rights to firms filing NIL income tax returns was rejected during the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Rahim Yar Khan Chamber of Commerce & Industry. The resolution was listed as Agenda Item No. 5..
The opposition alliance, Founders Azaad Ittehad Alliance, staged a strong protest in the House over the issue of disputed and allegedly bogus voters.
According to details, the Annual General Meeting of the Rahim Yar Khan Chamber of Commerce & Industry was held on September 26 at a local marquee. The situation became tense when the Chamber Secretary began reading Agenda Item No. 5.
Leaders of the Founders Azaad Ittehad Alliance, including Mian Ejaz Aamir, newly elected Executive Member Seth Waqas Majid, and other members, raised objections, stating that the Directorate General of Trade Organizations (DGTO) had clearly directed that the eligibility of firms filing NIL income tax returns to cast votes should have been decided through a vote of the House before the September 17 elections.They maintained that seeking the House’s opinion on the matter after the elections had already been conducted was illegal and a mala fide اقدام, which they would not accept.
The members further argued that allowing firms filing NIL tax returns and unregistered companies to participate in the election and cast votes was unlawful. Mian Ejaz Aamir said that whenever the legal status of any vote is questioned, it should be examined strictly in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations.
Addressing the Chamber administration, he said that the Secretary is the custodian of the House and should not exceed his authority or allow any unconstitutional or unlawful action within the Chamber.
A resolution seeking voting rights for firms filing NIL income tax returns was subsequently put before the House and was rejected by an overwhelming majority of the members.
The situation became further tense when police personnel deployed for security entered the hall. Haji Muhammad Ibrahim, Patron-in-Chief of the Founders Azaad Ittehad Alliance, stopped the police from intervening, saying that the matter concerned the Chamber’s traders and members and should be resolved by them themselves. The police personnel subsequently left the hall.
Meanwhile, the hall echoed with slogans in support of Haji Muhammad Ibrahim.
The proceedings remained highly turbulent for nearly an hour over the issue of allegedly bogus votes. A large number of members climbed onto the stage, resulting in considerable disorder and disruption of the AGM proceedings.
