All through the past many years, the business and trade leaders have had a rough time trying to get their problems resolved from the government and also in gettting their point of view across by adopting various lobbying tactics. In the meantime, they keep on holding elections for the Associations and Chambers and host a lot of lunches and dinners.

Nowadays, it seems that either they have got most of their problems solved or that now no one listens to them. Ramzan Bhatti, the very able Collector of the Karachi Customs, does not give them the time of the day. COTECNA and SGS do not give two hoots to the business community. Ahmed Mukhtar and his fellow Ministers just give them the cursory protocol. The heads of the utility companies have no spare moments to talk with these leaders too.

Therefore, the business leaders have brought some fundamental changes in their trade bodies. The SITE Association of Industry is busy playing cricket and table-tennis matches. Korangi Association is following SITE’s footsteps too. Some Associations are holding Mushaira programs or literary sittings. Some businessmen are writing poetry, and launching their works at lavish ceremonies. Many business leaders are taking extended vacations in foreign lands. And to top it all, business leaders are handing over gold medals to each other.

The modus operandi is to organize functions and invite the President or the Chief Minister. The Governor can come too if any one desires. After the usual speeches, everybody and his uncle is given a gold medal. 70 gold medals were announced at a function of the Silk Mills Association. The trend was initiated by FPCCI and now everybody follows it. One well-known industrialist of Korangi has got four or five already. A jovial industrialist from SITE was heard remarking to the gold medalist that it is time somebody gave him another gold medal to honor his receiving so many gold medals.

Prime Minister Bhutto must be very happy to hear that all leaders of the industrial and business community are now really taking it easy and are truly at leisure. That calls for another gold medal !

Yours etc :

MIKE BAXTER