KARACHI: Sindh High Court (SHC) has ordered to maintain the status quo at the Karachi Customs Agents Association (KCAA), therefore the newly elected and reigning body would continue to govern the affairs of association until the decision.
Directorate of Industries Sindh (Registration Wing) had ordered Karachi Customs Agents Association (KCAA) to call an extra ordinary general body meeting to form care-taker committee to conduct the election as per registered by-laws of the association under the supervision of Assistant Registrar, Joint Stock Companies, Sindh.
In response to these directives, Customs Agents Alliance (CAA) formed a panel of lawyers of Franklin Law Associates comprising Faysal Ghani, Hyder sheikh and Ghulamullah to appear before the High Court. The panel of lawyers has secured stay from the court. Therefore, there would be no formation of caretaker committee and there will be no re-election until the Court decides the matter.
The KCAA election 2017-18 became quite controversial after Yahya Mohammad of Customs Agents Group won for the office of president by one vote against Faisal Mushtaq of Customs Agents Alliance (CAA). However, chief election commission on the request of CAA conducted recounting of votes in violation of the orders of Directorate of Industries Sindh (Registration Wing) as the KCAA bylaws do not provide for recounting/reconciliation of votes.
The recounting turned the results and Faisal Mushtaq of CAA won the president’s office by one vote against Yahya Mohammad of CAG. Subsequently, a general body was held and offices of the association were handed over to the body stood successful after disputed recounting of votes.
CAG approached the Directorate of Industries and an order was issued to conduct re-election. However, CAA approached Sindh High Court and secured a stay order.