Abdul Rahim Janoo, Chairman, South Zone Group Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP), has rejected the allegations of irregularities in the rice quota distribution as according to him, there is no rice quota restrictions in the country. Addressing a dinner hosted by Yahya Polani, MD Polani Travels, Janoo said during last 15 years, REAP office-bearers have aggressively worked for export boost and accordingly, rice exports rose to $2 billion in my tenure (2009).
"Overall, three times rice export crossed 2 billion mark, first in 2009 and than 2014 and 2015 during the tenure of former chairman Rafique Suleman and Javed Ali Ghori," he maintained. Presently, rice trade is again facing many challenges and need government attention to enhance exports, Janoo said. He said without the approval of Chairman REAP some members of the managing committee launched a complaint with the Directorate General of Trade Organisation (DGTO) and volleyed baseless allegations. "Some of the members have alleged that being a patron-in-chief of REAP, I'm interfering in the quota distribution, while interestingly there is no quota restriction for export of rice in Pakistan," he said.
He said recognising the services to the association, during 2005-6, the managing committee of REAP decided to nominate me as patron-in-chief and accordingly, a resolution was presented in the Annual General Meeting chaired by Federal Minister for Commerce, Khurram Dastgir Khan. The AGM with majority approved the resolution and appointed me as patron-in-chief of REAP.
Janoo said as regards to foreign tours, there is a properly approved policy of the association and all members are invited to participate in foreign tours. Even there is a financial discipline in REAP and not a single penny has been spent for entertainment as all events are being sponsored by the members, he added. "I'm ready to surrender in the larger interest of the rice trade as we want to work together for the promotion of rice trade and economy," he added.
REAP Chairman Mehmood Moulvi said REAP is united and will strive to remove the grievances of the members. "We don't care whether Abdul Rahim Janoo is patron-in-chief or not, but his respect will always be in our hearts," he added. He assured the members that REAP will go by the law and the issue will be resolved with joint efforts. Former chairman Anwar Mian Noor, Rafique Suleman, senior member Safdar Mehkari and others also spoke on the occasion.
Comments
Comments are closed.