Voters list: FPCCI accused of flouting MoC directives

The directives of the Ministry of Commerce are being violated in the preparation of preliminary list of nominations for the forthcoming Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) elections due next month. Captain Rashid Abro, nominee for general body and managing committee from "A" class association, and Agha Syed Liaqat Ali, member, Pishin Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and nominee on reserved seat of the FPCCI managing committee, have filed separate objections before the Chairman and members of the FPCCI scrutiny committee, pointing to these violations.
Captain Rashid Abro pointed out that the name of Pakistan Film Producers Association (PFPA) appeared in the preliminary lists of nominations on the managing committee and general body despite clear directives of the competent authority not to allow the PFPA to exercise its right to vote in the elections.
He said that on October 20, the Ministry of Commerce issued directives, stating that "the Federal government has superseded the executive committee of the PFPA and an administrator has been appointed. The previous representative of the PFPA in the FPCCI should, therefore, not be allowed to exercise his right to vote in the forthcoming elections of the FPCCI."
He said that the order of the Federal government was dated October 20 prior to the last date of receiving nominations, ie October 21. Since the FPCCI Secretary General had not acted upon the directives of the Federal government through the Ministry of Commerce, which situation required bringing forth the matter before the scrutiny committee.
He prayed that the PFPA should not be allowed to participate in the forthcoming elections and no nomination from the said association be accepted in view of suppression of the executive committee of the association by appointing an administrator, assuming the powers of the executive committee.
Similarly, Agha Liaqat Ali pointed out that the name of Gwadar Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), which appeared in the preliminary list of nomination on the managing committee, had not been deleted by November 8.
The competent authority had issued clear directives to the FPCCI Secretary General, asking him not to allow the chamber to participate in the forthcoming elections.
Since the FPCCI Secretary General had not acted upon the directives of the Federal government, which situation required bringing forth the matter before the scrutiny committee, he added.
He prayed that the Gwadar CCI should not be allowed to participate in the forthcoming elections in the light of the orders issued by the government of Pakistan through the Ministry of Commerce, barring the participation of the Gwadar Chamber in the elections, including restriction on the right to vote.