CNIC and NTN must for trade bodies membership

The Ministry of Commerce has started to tighten the noose round the trade bodies in an effort to cleanse the "contaminated" rendezvous of members of businessmen of "bad" influences and ensure good governance.
As a first step, the Director, Trade Organisations (DTO), Ministry of Commerce, has made possession of Computerised National Identity Cards (CNIC) and valid National Tax Numbers (NTN)/certificates obligatory for the trade bodies for the renewal and new membership.
The DTO made it clear to all the trade bodies that the grant of new members and renewal of existing membership be done on the basis of Computerised National Identity Cards, issued by the Nadra, and valid National Tax Numbers/certificates.
The DTO issued these directives after it was brought to his notice that membership of some trade bodies was being renewed on the basis of old National Identity Cards and/or invalid NTN certificates.
In another development, the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) has reportedly received a communication from the Ministry of Commerce, seeking feed back on the likely changes that are being contemplated in the Trade Organisations Ordinance 1961.
The Commerce Minister, at a function here some time back, has indicated his ministry's desire to bring changes in the laws governing the conduct of the FPCCI.
Siraj Kassam Teli, leader of the BMG Group, which controls Karachi Chambers of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), is unhappy that the Ministry of Commerce has sought views of the FPCCI, which itself is dominated by "bad boys" and its membership needs to be investigated.
He has been very vocal in repeatedly announcing publicly that the composition of the FPCCI "smells rat" and a major surgery is required in getting rid of the bad influences to enable the apex trade body attain its rightful place in the scheme of things.
Teli regrets that he had been the lone voice in "wilderness" as no serious effort had been made by any quarter to rectify the wrongs done in the past and there was not much hope either that angels would descend to purify the stinking nauseating, which prevailed in the Federation House.