LAHORE
The political landscape of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry witnessed a major realignment as prominent leaders from rival groups rejoined the Pakistan Industrial and Traders Associations Front (PIAF) led by Mian Anjum Nisar, significantly strengthening the Anjum Nisar Group ahead of future chamber engagements.
In two separate but closely linked developments, senior leaders including Khamis Saeed Butt, Umar Farooq, former Lahore Chamber President Malik Tahir Javed, and Executive Committee member Mudassar Masood Chaudhry, along with their associates, announced their return to PIAF Anjum Nisar Group, describing it as their “political home” and reaffirming confidence in Mian Anjum Nisar’s leadership.
Speaking at a dignified ceremony and press conference held at the PIAF Head Office in Gulberg, Patron-in-Chief PIAF Mian Anjum Nisar said that PIAF has always stood for unity, inclusiveness and representation of genuine business issues. He said the return of old colleagues reflected trust in principled leadership and collective struggle for traders and industrialists.
“The business community’s issues have always remained our priority and this journey will continue.
PIAF has an open-door policy. Those who return to their home are always welcomed with respect,” Nisar said, adding that unity within the business community was essential at a time when economic challenges were intensifying.
He strongly criticised prevailing government policies, stating that excessive electricity tariffs, high interest rates and aggressive actions by state institutions were forcing businesses to shut down or relocate abroad.
He noted that instead of attracting foreign investment, local businessmen had shifted billions of rupees overseas due to unfavourable economic conditions.
Chairman PIAF and President Lahore Chamber Fahim ur Rehman Saigol, along with senior leaders Nasrullah Mughal and Muhammad Ali Mian, welcomed the returning members and reiterated that PIAF would remain united under the patronage of Mian Anjum Nisar. They said PIAF’s strength lies in its openness, discipline and commitment to collective decision-making.
Former Lahore Chamber President Malik Tahir Javed, while announcing his return, said he had always believed in Mian Anjum Nisar’s leadership and considered PIAF his own home.
“Mian Anjum Nisar is not just a leader of PIAF; he is a movement that represents the voice of the business community across Pakistan,” he said, adding that PIAF would be further strengthened through unity and hard work.
Mudassar Masood Chaudhry echoed similar sentiments, stating that PIAF’s ideology and leadership had consistently focused on resolving genuine business problems rather than engaging in personal politics.
Khamis Saeed Butt, another key figure joining back, said that PIAF had regained its original position and credibility under Mian Anjum Nisar. He remarked that Lahore now recognized only one strong PIAF, led by Anjum Nisar, as traders and industrialists were joining in large numbers.
Several senior chamber leaders, including Sheikh Tanveer, Nasrullah Mughal, Muhammad Ali Mian, Ahd Amin Malik, Amir Ali, Umar Sarfaraz, Ahsan Shahid, and Shaban Akhtar, attended the events. Former MNA Waheed Alam was also present.
Speakers agreed that the recent developments marked a decisive shift in Lahore Chamber politics and reflected growing confidence in PIAF Anjum Nisar Group’s leadership, unity and agenda focused on safeguarding the interests of the business community amid challenging economic conditions.
