TDAP Ordinance in limbo

The much-awaited Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) Ordinance is in limbo because of some serious differences between the Commerce Ministry and TDAP over its authority. These differences were witnessed between Secretary Commerce, Zafar Mahmood and Secretary, TDAP, Javed Anwar Khan on Thursday at a meeting of National Assembly Standing Committee on Commerce, led by Engineer Khurram Dastgir Khan.
Commerce Secretary gave a detailed history of EPB, its conversion into an Authority, saying it's not a perfect law and needs changes and TDAP is working without any legal authority. Supreme Court of Pakistan had given 30 days for approval of law to make EPB an Authority but the draft is pending with the Standing Committee for the last two years, requesting the committee to finalise it according to its own vision. He further stated that it was difficult for him to run TDAP affairs without a formal legal cover.
However, when Chairman Standing Committee enquired "is this cure of what the disease is and will new law improve export's performance" Secretary Commerce replied 'no' whereas Secretary TDAP argued 'yes' to run the administrative and financial affairs. Most of the members of the committee maintained that there was no benefit of conversion of EPB into Authority.
Chairman of the Committee drafted 9 points to seek the opinion of members including use of Export Market Development Fund (EMDF) which was misused by the Commerce Ministers in the past as well as by the incumbent as well as by the TDAP itself. The issue of Board members also came under discussion. Secretary Commerce said the strength of BoD members should be left to the government.
According to Secretary Commerce, functions of TDAP will remain the same as of the Export Promotion Bureau (defunct) which implies nothing will change even after converting it into an Authority, as funding will be provided by the budget. Secretary Commerce, who had held the charge of Vice Chairman in EBP during Musharraf's regime, suggested to the committee to delay it's final deliberations on the Ordinance until Chief Executive TDAP, Tariq Iqbal Puri, is available because as head of organisation his interests are vital.
TDAP argued that its employees of grade 1-16 are facing problems in getting medical facilities in government hospitals and in financial matters relating to the Accountant General of Pakistan. Most of the members of the committee, however, argued that Commerce and Trade Group should be given priority in foreign posting as officers of other groups go back to their parent departments.
Committee members also witnessed an encounter between Abdul Ghani Talpur, member Standing Committee and Secretary Commerce over a request of extension of stay of a Commercial Counsellor in Chile. The Commercial Counselor is the sun of Abdul Ghani Talpur, whose appointment was made on the instructions of Prime Minister, Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani.
When a member of Standing Committee Mrs Tahira Aurangzeb enquired from the Secretary Commerce whether the Commerce Ministry has received requests from two Trade Officers for extension, he replied that the case is with the Commerce Minister, Makhdoom Amin Fahim. Besides, Abdul Ghani Talpur, Senator, Gulshan Saeed is also lobbying for extension in tenure of her daughter who is Trade Officer in Brussels.
Abdul Ghani Talpur along with other members expressed surprise over the "very good" reports of all the Trade officers submitted by the Commerce Ministry. The performance of Trade Officer in London, Saira Najeeb came under discussion along with two extensions granted to her on the directives of Prime Minister Gilani. Most of the members stated that it appears her performance is better than others due to which she was granted an extension twice.
Commerce Secretary clarified that Prime Minister approved her extension on the request of High Commissioner London who is her country boss. On this members suggested that extension criteria should be performance based instead of on the request of the Ambassador or High Commissioner as Trade Officers may make the boss happy to get an extension instead of working for the country. The committee was informed that, for the posting of 38 Commercial Counsellors a written examination will be held on February 11, 2011 which will be conducted by LUMS. This process will be finalised by April, 2012. The committee was apprised of the eligibility criteria for contesting the exam for these posts. The Secretary, Commerce Ministry also informed the committee that due to writ petition filed in the Islamabad High Court the process of posting the Commercial Counselors was delayed by almost one and half years.
In reply to a question, Secretary Commerce apprised the committee that the Ministry of Law had approved Rs 3.5 million for Babar Awan as fee for the case and he won the case. On this the Chairman of the Standing Committee commented in a taunting tone 'with his special abilities'. However, Secretary Commerce said he will not comment on this statement.
The committee directed the ministry that no appointment will be made without passing the requisite test. Merit will be the criteria for filling these posts. The Ministry was directed to furnish the final detailed eligibility criteria for filling these posts to the committee.
According to the official statement, the committee deliberated upon "the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan Bill, 2007." It was informed that this organisation (previously Export Promotion Bureau) was established in 1961 through a resolution. This organisation is meant for promotion of trade and it has no financial earnings. All the funding is provided by the Government of Pakistan. The members discussed the Bill clause by clause and after thorough deliberation decided to convene another meeting on the Bill to finalise it.
The meeting was attended by Yasmeen Rehman, Tahira Aurganzeb, Shireen Arshad Khan, Jamila Gilani, Nawab Abdul Ghani Talpur, Shahnaz, MNAs besides Secretary, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Secretary TDAP, Director, TDAP and Deputy Legislative Advisor, Law & Justice Ministry.