Pakistan Private Courier Group has opposed the Pakistan Private Courier Services Regulatory Authority, terming it unconstitutional which would put unnecessary financial burden on the public exchequer, besides adding unnecessary bureaucratic layer and inhibiting the growth and development of this vibrant economic sector.
However, the Ministry of Communication as well as sub-committee of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Communication has opposed the private couriers' viewpoint while saying that it has been established to regulate the sector.
The committee met with Engineer Usman Khan Taraki in the chair to discuss the proposed 'The Pakistan Private Courier Regulatory Authority Bill, 2015,' moved by MNA Belum Hasnaain.
Giving presentation on behalf of Pakistan Courier Group on legal and regulatory aspects of the Bill to the sub-committee, Hassan & Hassan (Advocates) said that the proposed Bill is unnecessary and would even otherwise be unconstitutional. He recommended that the proposed Bill may be withdrawn and self-regulation mechanism be put in place by all stakeholders under the supervision and guidance of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Communications.
He said the courier business has been thriving for over three decades without the need for any licensing. This business is self-sufficient, self-reliant and beneficially contributing to the general welfare through provision of efficient/express courier services, taxation, technological and human resource development generation of employment, etc.
He further said that no courier company is using or utilising any public resource for its courier business (e.g. land, resource or other property which belongs to the public). The courier business is entirely financed by private investment through companies registered with the SECP.
According to the proposed Bill, private courier services are currently operating without a regulatory framework. The law would provide an institutional mechanism for regulating the courier industry. The need for a regulatory mechanism was felt after increasing terrorist activities, including dispatch of contraband and other anti-state material.
The Interior Ministry had expressed concern through a letter to the Postal Services Ministry, asking it to take necessary measures to check such activities. The alleged use of explosives in large quantities during recent terrorist attacks in the country prompted the government to introduce the legislation, which would help keep a check on unauthorised sale and purchase of explosive.
Acting Secretary Communication Shahid Ashraf Tarar said that it has been established that there should be a regulatory body to regulate the sector. He further said that under the proposed Bill, no preferential treatment would be given to Pakistan Postal services.
The committee after taking the presentation of Private Courier Group directed it to hold a meeting with the Communication Ministry where representatives of all private couriers' agencies could also participate and come up with a refined shape of the proposed Bill within one week. The Bill would be later presented in the National Assembly.