Three trade bodies give legal notice to Teli

Three trade bodies namely Larkana Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Pakistan Iron and Steel Merchants Association (PISMA) and Pakistan Cutlery Stainless Steel Utensil Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PCSSUMAEA) have given legal notices to the leader of Businessmen Group and former President of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) Siraj Kassam Teli to pay Rs 7 millions as damages to these trade bodies within seven days.
In their notices they deny that the trade bodies are fake or have not completed the due process as per the rules and regulations of Trade Organisation Ordinance 2007 (TOO 07) and as evidence they have been granted licences.
In the notices they pointed out that the competent authority granted the licence under TOO 07 after fulfilment of certain requirements prescribed under its rules and regulations. The licences granted to the trade bodies are the result of strict compliance of all conditions.
These trade bodies and their members noted that they were shocked to read a press release and comments published in a section of the press in which Teli has allegedly made false, frivolous, libellous and highly objectionable and defamatory allegations against the constitution of these trade bodies saying that they were fake associations/chamber.
It is alleged that Teli has imputed totally false and frivolous allegations against these trade bodies with mollified intention and ulterior motives in order to defame the prestige and reputation of these trade bodies.
Under the new trade ordinance the federal government notified a very strict criteria for the grant of fresh licences and out of total of 179 trade bodies affiliated with FPCCI only 109 fulfilled this criteria and were granted licences.
The notices pointed out that the trade bodies, which applied for grant of licences, were required to advertise in two daily national newspapers. The sole purpose of this action was that if any one had any objection he could file the same before licences were granted and at that time Teli had raised no objections.
The trade bodies which were granted licences were required to complete the elections of their managing committee, executive committee and nominate their representatives to FPCCI by December 6,2008. Accordingly FPCCI has already issued the provisional list of voters and the elections are under process. "Now at this stage when the entire electoral process is almost compete Teli has come up with allegation with the sole idea to sabotage the entire process".
These associated said Teli was directed to withdraw all allegations publicly and tender, unconditional apology in all the leading newspapers of Pakistan within 7 days failing which the trade bodies shall be constrained to initiate legal proceedings.