The first election, held after over three decades in Multan Chamber of Commerce and Industry(MCCI),completed successfully with Multan Ittehad Group, dominated by veterans, won 10 out of a dozen seats of the executive body. The victory paved the way for an almost sure victory for Multan Ittehad candidate for the MCCI president seat, elections for which are scheduled to be held on Sept 28. The MCCI has a 26-member strong executive body including two reserved seats for women entrepreneurs. The executive body enjoys two year term and elects president every year. Polling for the executive body was held on Monday (Sept 17) to elect 12 members including seven corporate category seats and five associate seats and result was notified late Monday night. MultanIttehad Group won all the seven seats in corporate category and three in associate category while rivals, Multan Friends Group, led by Chaudhry Zulfiqar Anjum, won two associate class seats. Thirteen other members of the executive body would complete their second year, last of their two-year term, till the end of 2018-19. Multan Ittehad, led by former FPCCI President Mian Tanweer A Sheikh, remained the only politically active group in MCCI which used to elect office-bearers through consultations within the group and this practice continued for over last 30 years. However, Multan Friends Group jumped into the MCCI electoral politics come 2018-19 elections compelling MCCI to hold ballot contest for the first time since 1982. Multan Ittehad won all the corporate class seats including Mujeebullah Khan (81 votes), Mian Rashid(76), Naeem Ahmad (73), Khawaja Muhammad Hussain (75), Muhammad sarfraz (79), Tariq Khan (79) and Aqeel Ijaz (66). In associate class, Multan Ittehad won three seats including Sheikh Muhammad Amjad (126 votes), Khawaja Badar Munir (114), and Khawaja Usman (112). Two associate class seats were won by Multan Friendscandidates including Khawaja Riaz (116) and Sheikh Nadeem (110). Published in Daily Times, September 19th 2018.