The leadership of Businessmen Group and office-bearers of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) said on Wednesday that Karachi Chamber, being the largest and premier chamber of Pakistan, is not in favour of extending the tenure of office-bearers of all trade bodies from one to two years.
While criticising the Directorate General of Trade Organisation (DGTO) over its move to seek proposal from chambers/trade associations about extending office-bearers’ tenure from one to two years, the office-bearer of KCCI said that only those trade bodies/associations which were being run by unscrupulous elements will support such an unjust extension so that they could get maximum time to attain their personal goals.
DGTO Deputy Director Arshad Nawaz, in a communiqué, asked all trade bodies, including chambers of commerce and trade associations across Pakistan, to give their feedback on a proposal received from different trade organisations to extend tenure of office-bearers from one year to two years.
Seeking feedback within seven days from trade bodies, the DGTO deputy director said that the proposed amendment in Sub Section (1) of Section 11 of Trade Organisations Act 2013 was required to extend the tenure of office-bearers of all trade organisations from one year to two years.
The KKCCI immediately submitted its deep reservations to DGTO in which they warned that in case the tenure of office-bearers was extended, experienced and dedicated persons will desist from holding this important office as nobody can afford to hold the office bearers’ slots for an extended period of two years at the cost of their personal business activities.
Chairman Businessmen Group and former KCCI president Siraj Kassam Teli stated that the business and industrial community of Karachi would strongly protest the proposed amendment in relevant section of Trade Organisation Ordinance 2013 which will not be accepted at any cost. He said this was not the right way to make amendment in Trade Organisations Ordinance as the repercussions of such amendment should be extensively discussed by convening a meeting which must be attended by all stakeholders.
The BMG leadership and KCCI office-bearers pointed out that in the present circumstances, many capable businessmen were reluctant to spare even a period of one year for holding the office as it was a full-time job which interrupted/disturbed their personal business activities.
