Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Vice President and Regional Balochistan Chairperson Fahmida Jamali has accused the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) Chief Executive S. M. Muneer of interfering in FPCCI affairs which, she said, was unfortunate.
“FPCCI is an independent apex body of the country, and no government official has the authority to influence us,” the FPCCI vice president said, adding that across the world, federation chambers play their independent roles and there is no example that a government’s trade officials interfere in the affairs of chambers of commerce of that country.
Speaking at a press conference at the Karachi Press Club, Jamali alleged that Muneer had insulted her, using unethical language, and threatened to ban her entry to FPCCI offices. She maintained that she had rendered great services for the federation and Muneer’s behaviour towards her was unacceptable.
She appealed to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Federal Minister for Commerce Khurram Dastgir Khan to look into the matter and initiate necessary disciplinary action against S. M. Muneer.
Businessmen panel (BMP) present at the presser also spoke against Muneer, claiming that since he was a dual national, Muneer was not eligible to be TDAP chief executive.
Former FPCCI president Senator Ghulam Ali said that S. M. Muneer had been interfering in FPCCI affairs despite having no authority over the organisation, adding that he had also defied a court order from the Islamabad High Court refraining him from such intrusions.
TDAP REJECTS ‘BASELESS’ ALLEGATIONS:
Meanwhile a press release from TDAP has strongly condemned the statement issued by Fehmida Jamali, Senator Haji Ghulam Ali and Mian Zahid Hussain as it contains “baseless allegations” against TDAP Chief Executive S. M. Muneer.
The press release says that the basic function of TDAP is to promote trade by facilitating exporters of the country and that S. M. Muneer is taking part in trade promotional activities as per the mandate of TDAP to ensure positive trend in exports of Pakistan. “Therefore, these promotional activities cannot be termed interference in the affairs of FPCCI.”
“The false impression is being given that TDAP chief executive is acting against the orders of the honourable Islamabad High Court (IHC),” the press release said, adding that the IHC did not restrict the official trade promotional activities of the TDAP as defined in the TDAP Act. “TDAP and its chief executive have been held responsible for the decrease of exports of Pakistan while ignoring the fact that international recession is the major factor behind the decline in exports. The exports of China, India, japan etc. have also witnessed negative trends, similar to exports of Pakistan during the same period,” the press release said.
“TDAP has no concern with the elections of FPCCI and is facilitating all exporters of the country without any discrimination,” the statement continued. “TDAP in its available resources is making efforts to enhance the exports of Pakistan, but TDAP and its chief executive cannot be blamed for the factors which are beyond their control. The baseless allegations of involvement of TDAP and its chief executive by a particular group may hamper the sincere efforts of TDAP to enhance the exports of the country.”
