Members boycott FPCCI managing body meeting

A large number of life members and members of the managing committee of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) boycotted the managing committee meeting held in Lahore on Saturday to bring changes in Articles and Memorandum of Association of the FPCCI. Captain Abdul Rasheed Abro, spokesman for the Businessmen Forum (BF), and Sardar Muhammad Ashraf Khan, member, managing committee, in separate letters sent to the FPCCI secretary general, informed him that the Businessmen Forum would boycott the meeting under protest "in view of the prevailing situation when many things are sub judice to avoid being party to the illegal actions of the de fecto ruling group."
They accused that the meeting has been convened to approve the "distorted, doctored and changed" minutes of the last meetings. All the "illegal acts" committed these meetings have been deliberately not recorded ie, announcement of the results of the so-called elections of the managing committee (incomplete) which was done by force against the provisions of the articles.
They have pointed out that proposals have been sought from the members to bring about changes in the Articles and Memorandum of Association of the FPCCI without any draft proposals prepared by the management. It would have been more appropriate if a committee representing associations, chambers, provinces and AJK would have been formed to prepare a draft by seeking consensus from all the groups/stakeholders before circulating among member bodies and before bringing it to the managing committee for discussion. Unilateral changes in the articles would not be sustainable.
The authority of the managing committee (non delegable) is being grossly misused by appointing non-members of the managing committee to the standing committees/ committees against the provision of Article 19 and many resolutions of the previous managing committees in this regard.
The rules for the arbitration are not yet properly made and approved by the managing committee and Director Trade Organisations (DTO) as per law.
Since members, who hold different views, are not allowed to express themselves in the meetings, participation of BF members in the managing committee meeting will not serve any purpose, they said.