Daily Times

RAWALPINDI: The two stalwarts of Rawalpindi traders’ community Muhammad Hanif Abbasi former MNA and Shahid Ghafoor Paracha, President Markazi Anjman-e-Tajran (MAT) Rawalpindi have reached rapprochement following a long cold war.

The two have pledged to work together for addressing the problems facing the traders’ community and protection of their rights. The sources have claimed that chairmanship and leadership of Small Chambers will remain with Shahid Ghafoor Paracha. Sources said that establishment of Rawalpindi Chambers of Small Traders and Small Industries and its chieftaincy was the root cause of cold war and dispute between these two trader leaders. Arshid Awan President (MAT) and his group affiliated with Hanif Abbasi wanted to keep leadership of small chambers with them while the other faction of MAT under Shahid Ghafoor Paracha had already filed application for registration of small chambers in 2013. Zulfiqar Kahut is current president of Small chambers is considered likeminded of Shahid Ghafoor Paracha.

The differences which arose on the issue of small chambers extended their shadow to general election 2013 and Shahid Ghafoor Paracha who run Hanif Abbasi election campaign kept him at distance from former MNA. Hanif Abbasi did not even bother to pacify him which led to aggravate misperception between the both traders’ leaders.