P@SHA Leadership Dispute Escalates as DGTO Reinstates Sajjad Syed as Chairman
A leadership dispute has erupted within the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA), with the Directorate General of Trade Organizations (DGTO) restoring Sajjad Mustafa Syed as Chairman through an interim order while it investigates allegations of governance irregularities within the association.
The dispute emerged after P@SHA’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) reportedly treated an alleged verbal resignation by Sajjad Syed as accepted and appointed Senior Vice Chairman Muhammad Umair Nizam as Acting Chairman.
However, in a complaint submitted to the DGTO on June 8, Sajjad Syed categorically denied resigning from the office, stating that no verbal or written resignation had ever been tendered. He further alleged that decisions regarding his removal were taken despite an ongoing internal dispute resolution process initiated under Article 47 of P@SHA’s Articles of Association.
In an interim order issued on June 10, the DGTO noted that the complaint raised serious concerns regarding governance, transparency, and compliance with the Trade Organisations Act, 2013. The regulator observed that the acceptance of an unwritten and disputed resignation, along with subsequent decisions taken during a pending dispute resolution process, prima facie appeared inconsistent with the prescribed governance framework.
Pending a final determination, the DGTO has restored the status quo that existed before the June 5 meeting. The regulator suspended the decision accepting the alleged resignation and reinstated Sajjad Syed as Chairman of P@SHA with immediate effect.
The order also suspended all actions taken as a consequence of the disputed resignation, including the appointment of Muhammad Umair Nizam as Acting Chairman. He will continue to serve only in his elected position as Senior Vice Chairman until the matter is resolved.
Additionally, the DGTO has restricted extraordinary financial decisions, changes in banking operations, and non-routine vendor payments by the association until a final ruling is issued.
The regulator has directed P@SHA’s Executive Committee and Secretary General to submit records related to meetings held on May 29 and June 5, including notices, agendas, attendance sheets, recordings, minutes, and correspondence concerning the alleged resignation and subsequent leadership changes.
The matter has been fixed for a preliminary hearing on June 18, 2026, in Islamabad. The DGTO has warned that failure to comply with its directives could result in penalties under the Trade Organisations Act.
The leadership controversy comes amid growing criticism of P@SHA’s handling of several industry issues. The association has recently faced backlash over its taxation proposals and concerns surrounding preparations for the ASOCIO Digital Summit 2026, which was originally expected to be hosted by Pakistan but is now scheduled to take place in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Sources also claim that P@SHA’s Secretary General has submitted his resignation, although the matter remains under consideration by the association’s governing body.
The DGTO emphasized that its interim order does not determine the merits of the dispute and is intended solely to preserve the existing position until a final regulatory decision is reached following the inquiry.
