Imran Malik – MediaBites Editorial – November 27, 2025
The identity dispute within Pakistan’s marketing community has deepened, as Marketing Associates & Professionals Pakistan (MAP Pakistan) issued a detailed clarification in response to MediaBites’ recent reporting on the long-running confusion between two separate entities operating under the MAP banner.
MediaBites earlier published two investigative reports highlighting the growing friction between the Marketing Association of Pakistan (founded in 1967) and a parallel organisation operating under a similar abbreviation, MAP Pakistan – Marketing Associates & Professionals Pakistan, founded by Tariq Asmat.
News 1 (Published Two Days Ago)
MediaBites examined the persistent identity crisis plaguing Pakistan’s marketing fraternity, where two entities—both using the acronym MAP—have caused widespread confusion among professionals, young marketers, and industry observers.
The report highlighted that Pakistan’s once-vibrant marketing community is now divided between two MAP bodies, each asserting relevance, resulting in stalled membership processes, shrinking learning forums, and increasing political infighting.
News 2 (Published Yesterday)
In a follow-up investigation, MediaBites reported that the Marketing Association of Pakistan (established 1967) remains the only legally registered MAP body, operating through two official chapters — MAP Karachi, led by Azfar Ahsan, and MAP Lahore, headed by Omar Chaudhry.
Former Marketing Association of Pakistan, MAP Lahore Chapter President Amer Salam stated that MAP Lahore was established legally in 1986 and remains a recognised extension of the original MAP headquartered in Karachi. He claimed the parallel organisation (MAP Pakistan – Marketing Associates & Professionals Pakistan) is “not affiliated” and has caused confusion through similar branding.
Amer also confirmed that a legal notice had been issued to MAP Pakistan, demanding it stop presenting itself as the original MAP.
In response, Mehboob Elahi of MAP Pakistan said his group had already issued a public notice and believed that was “more than enough” clarification.
Tariq Asmat’s Official Clarification
Today, MAP Pakistan CEO Tariq Asmat issued a point-wise clarification, shared with MediaBites word-for-word and unedited, stating the following:
“Point-Wise Response to MediaBites’ ‘MAP Identity Dispute’ Post
With respect to MediaBites, CEO Imran Alam Malik and its editorial team, we would like to clarify key facts for the marketing community, general public and to set the record straight regarding the statements published:
1. MAP-Marketing Associates & Professionals Pakistan (MAP Pakistan) has never claimed to be an association
We are not an NGO, society, chapter, or association of any kind.
We are a lawfully registered and commercial entity, fully registered and compliant under Pakistan’s comnercial and taxation laws.
We have never claimed to be:
Marketing Association of Pakistan, or
Lahore Chapter, or
any affiliate of the above.
Our use of the name MAP is lawfully permitted under law, and registered as a name.
2. The article assumes legitimacy without verifying basic legal documents
Before calling any group the only authentic MAP MediaBites should have reviewed verifiable documents of the so-called MAP Lahore Chapter.
To date, none have been publicly or directly shared.
3. MAP Lahore Chapter’s legal status remains unverified
4. “MAP or MAP Lahore Chapter” is not a legal name or entity registered under any law of Pakistan. The group which is being referred here claims to be “Marketing Association of Pakistan Lahore Chapter and not the “MAP”.
So now several questions always remain unanswered:
Under which law is “MAP Lahore Chapter” registered? (Societies Act 1860? Companies Act? Trust Act?)
What is its status and registration number in Punjab?
Where are its annual compliance filings or renewal certificates? (It is a mandatory requurement of any society/association registered as a non profit organisation)
Can a society registered in Sindh legally operate in Punjab? Answer is NO
Where is their lawfully updated constitution/charter publicly available?
What legal authority allows a non-registered chapter to issue legal notices?
If Marketing Association Karachi (Sindh) is the parent body, what law authorizes a “chapter” structure across provinces?
These questions are fundamental, yet unanswered.
5. The legal notice referenced in the article was misdirected and baseless
It was addressed to a registered company, not the operating entity.
It did not include:
evidence of the sender’s own legal standing,
any registration documents,
any lawful basis for challenging our name or operations.
6. MAP Pakistan has not created confusion — we operate transparently
We use our full and correct identity: MAP – Marketing Associates & Professionals Pakistan,
a lawfull commercial organisation working in trainings, seminars, conferences, community building, and events.
We do not claim representation of any association or chapter.
7. We are founders of Pakistan Marketing Day and PMD Summit
For clarity:
Pakistan Marketing Day (October)
PMD Summit (held annually for 3 consecutive years)
were initiated and organised independently by MAP-Marketing Associates & Professionals Pakistan (MAP Pakistan).
We have never sought control over any association nor interfered with any group’s activities.
8. MediaBites did not seek our version before publishing
Balanced journalism requires:
verifying both sides,
confirming documents,
avoiding conclusions without hearing the concerned party.
This did not happen in this reporting.
9. Request for correction
We respectfully require MediaBites to:
update the article with our official response, or
publish a clarification ensuring accuracy and balance.
This is not confrontation—just for fairness.
10. Our stance remains the same
We operate lawfully,
transparently,
and with the intent to strengthen Pakistan’s marketing ecosystem—in a competative environment,
not to divide it.”
MediaBites remains fully open to publishing any additional clarifications, documents, or official statements from any party involved. Our platform is committed to providing balanced coverage and welcomes all stakeholders to share their perspectives for the sake of transparency and clarity within Pakistan’s marketing community.
MediaBites’ Editorial Note:
This report has been published without any bias, agenda, or personal inclination. Having worked in the media and marketing industry for over 20 years, I have never used my platform for any partisan purpose. A few days ago, I received a public notice on WhatsApp issued by MAP Pakistan — Marketing Associates & Professionals Pakistan. That prompted me to examine the matter further and publish an investigative piece, allowing both sides to present their positions transparently. MediaBites remains committed to fair, independent, and unbiased journalism.
