KARACHI : The Director General of Trade Organization (DGTO) has initiated an inquiry into the concerns raised regarding the selection of the Election Commission for FPCCI 2024-25.
The DGTO has formally requested an explanation from the Secretary General of FPCCI in response to numerous complaints received about the formation of the Election Commission. These complaints primarily revolve around a significant number of non-Executive Committee (EC) members being allowed to participate in the election for the Election Commission. This inclusion of non-EC members in the process was met with strong objections and subsequently led to formal complaints lodged with DGTO by a substantial number of EC members from the opposition group.
Additionally, the DGTO has specifically inquired about the repeated selection of Arshad Khurshid as a member of the Election Commission for the third consecutive time. The DGTO’s communication highlights that the decisions made by Arshad Khurshid have been highly disputed and contested at multiple levels, including DGTO, the federal government, and High Courts. The continuous inclusion of Arshad Khurshid in the Election Commission raises suspicions and is subject to strong objections by the present FPCCI regime.
Rule 16(e) of the Trade Organizations Rules 2013 explicitly stipulates that members of the Election Commission must maintain impartiality and non-partisanship. The reappointment of the same individual for the third consecutive term is in direct violation of these rules and regulations.
The DGTO’s letter emphasizes the importance of preventing any controversies or disputes, both before and after the elections, and conserving the government’s valuable time. As a result, the FPCCI has been directed to clarify its position on these matters.
The Director General of trade organizations has taken action on the present management on its directives to trade bodies to submit the membership record of two years as such demands and amendments by FPCCI in election process create doubts on impartiality in coming election of FPCCI . The DGTO has declared FPCCI circular 11778 dated 20-10-23 null and void an-initio as FPCCI could not convince the Regulator /DGTO about the law under which FPCCI had asked its trade bodies to submit list/record of membership
