Latest news with #DGTO
Business Recorder
01-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
ABAD undertakes significant constitutional reform
KARACHI: Association of Builders and Developers (ABAD) has undertaken its most significant constitutional reform in over five decades, approving sweeping amendments to modernize its governance framework and comply with evolving regulatory requirements. According to the details, ABAD has formally adopted the amendments to its Memorandum and Articles of Association during a Special General Meeting at ABAD House. The comprehensive reforms mark the first substantial revision to ABAD's founding documents since the organization's establishment in 1972, addressing structural changes necessitated by Pakistan's transformed legal and regulatory environment. The constitutional overhaul comes in response to recent directives from the Directorate General of Trade Organizations (DGTO), which has mandated all established trade associations to align their governing documents with contemporary standards. The approved amendments introduce several pivotal organizational modifications. Most notably, the posts of Regional Chairman and Vice Chairman have been eliminated from ABAD's official structure, responding to DGTO objections outlined in Article 1 of the existing constitution. Under the revised governance model, sub-committees will now operate under Executive Committee oversight through amended Article 9(iii)(6), with membership expanded from two to five positions to enhance operational capacity. Regional membership processing has been restructured while maintaining established channels. New applications will continue flowing through Regional Committees, but these bodies will now function as Executive Committee appointees under the modified Article 9(v)(6). Additional revisions affect Articles 8(b)(ii) and 16(2), along with Clause 14 governing membership transfer procedures, streamlining administrative processes across the organization. 'Our existing Articles had remained static for 53 years, despite fundamental shifts in Pakistan's legal framework,' Chairman Bakhshi said. 'These amendments position ABAD to operate more effectively within today's regulatory environment,' he added. The meeting drew significant participation including Senior Vice Chairman Syed Afzal Hameed, Vice Chairman Tariq Aziz Memon, Southern Region Chairman Ahmad Owais Thanvi, and Hyderabad Sub-Region Vice Chairman Abdullah Jan Memon. Former chairmen Altaf Tai and Anwar Gagai also attended the proceedings. Bakhshi termed the reforms as essential for strengthening ABAD's advocacy capabilities and government relations. 'These changes will enable more effective collaboration with government institutions and enhanced representation of construction sector interests,' he stated. The amendments received majority approval following extensive member deliberations, reflecting broad consensus on the need for organizational modernization. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
16-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
TORs reforms: DGTO initiates consultative sessions
ISLAMABAD: In a pivotal move to embed inclusivity, gender equality, and grassroots representation into Pakistan's trade governance system, the Directorate General of Trade Organizations (DGTO), operating under the Ministry of Commerce, has initiated a national series of awareness and consultative sessions aimed at reforming the Trade Organizations Rules (TORs), 2013. These sessions are being conducted in close collaboration with the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), the apex institution representing the country's licensed trade bodies. The reform initiative represents a strategic turning point in the government's approach to economic policymaking and regulatory engagement. By prioritising inclusivity, particularly the empowerment of women entrepreneurs, small and medium-sized business voices, and regionally marginalised trade groups this process seeks to establish a modern, responsive, and participatory regulatory framework for trade organisations. Formation of multiple chambers in Karachi: KCCI irked by 'cold' response from Senate body At its core, the initiative aligns with Pakistan's commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). The consultative sessions will be conducted across Pakistan's major regions as follows: (i) Karachi – June 16, 2025 (FPCCI Head Office): Hosting trade organisations from the Sindh and Balochistan provinces ;(ii) Lahore – June 18, 2025 (FPCCI Regional Office): Engaging all trade bodies from Punjab; and (iii) Islamabad – June 19, 2025 (FPCCI Capital Office): Gathering organisations from Islamabad Capital Territory and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. In line with the goals of universal accessibility and participatory dialogue, the DGTO will employ digital platforms for ensuring input from stakeholders who are unable to attend in person. This hybrid model ensures that no voice is left unheard, particularly from remote, resource-constrained, or underrepresented areas. These sessions are not simply routine procedural activities. Rather, they represent a deliberate effort by the state to build trust with the business community, update regulatory instruments, and bring trade governance into harmony with contemporary economic realities, international best practices, and local stakeholder needs. Importantly, the revised TOR will also account for the institutional structures outlined in the Companies Act, 2017, under which trade organizations are registered as Section 42 companies, thereby ensuring legal consistency and corporate accountability. The ongoing reform of the TOR 2013 is envisioned not merely as a legal update, but as a transformative framework for ensuring that all voices in the business landscape—especially women, small traders, and underserved regions—have a seat at the table. By integrating inclusive governance principles into the revised rules, the government seeks to build a regulatory culture that is accountable, accessible, and equitable. Through these sessions, DGTO is collecting stakeholder input to: (i) Promote SDG-aligned regulatory practices that increase visibility and support for SMEs, informal traders, and women-led enterprises for enabling them to influence the regulatory and business environment more meaningfully ; and (ii) embed digital transformation through online licensing, elections monitoring, real-time compliance systems to ensure transparent and streamlined processes. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
13-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Formation of multiple chambers in Karachi: KCCI irked by ‘cold' response from Senate body
ISLAMABAD: The Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) is facing a potential erosion of its influence in government policymaking and within the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), following a cold response from the Senate Standing Committee on Commerce to its leadership's recent appeal. On June 11, 2025, KCCI President Jawed Bilwani and President of the Pakistan-Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PAJCCI), Junaid Makda, appeared before the Senate Standing Committee on Commerce — chaired by Senator Anusha Rahman — at the behest of Senator Saleem Mandviwala, Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee and a member of the Commerce Committee. Their aim was to convince the committee that the proposed formation of district-wise chambers in Karachi would compromise the performance and unity of existing chambers. The KCCI leadership informed the committee that they had already submitted an application to the secretary Commerce objecting to actions initiated by the Director General of Trade Organizations (DGTO). However, the chairperson criticized the delegation for raising an issue already under judicial review and made it clear that the committee could not intervene in internal organizational matters. She subsequently announced that the Committee would discontinue proceedings on this issue. During the session, the secretary Commerce and DGTO explained the rationale behind initiating the process for establishing chambers in each of Karachi's districts. In response, Junaid Makda argued that KCCI had not been given a fair hearing on the matter since 2009. 'If we're not allowed to present our case, where else can we go?' he asked — prompting surprise from the secretary Commerce, who admitted that stakeholders should ideally have been consulted before Parliament passed the relevant legislation. On May 15, 2025, the DGTO issued a letter to three district chambers — Karachi Central, Karachi Malir, and Karachi Korangi — stating that their applications submitted in 2021 for the establishment of new chambers were still under active consideration. The regulator emphasized that the applications are being processed under the Trade Organizations Act, 2013, and the corresponding rules, subject to all necessary verification and eligibility checks. DGTO Bilal Khan Pasha further disclosed that legal representatives of the proposed district chambers have threatened legal action should their applications continue to face delays. He also noted that KCCI was given an opportunity to submit comments or appear before the regulator but did not do so. In a letter dated June 4, 2025, KCCI President Jawed Bilwani and Businessmen Group Chairman Zubair Motiwala wrote to Senator Saleem Mandviwala arguing against the formation of multiple chambers in Karachi. They maintained that the city, with its seven districts, already has robust and dynamic industrial town associations. 'Karachi is too large, too vital, and too interconnected to be fragmented into smaller representative units,' the letter read, warning that such fragmentation would dilute the business community's collective voice and undermine the effectiveness of economic policymaking. The DGTO has indicated that a final decision on the pending applications is expected in the coming days. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
30-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
LCCI polls 2024: Commerce secy upholds DGTO's decision
LAHORE: The Commerce secretary has upheld the decision of the Director General Trade Organizations, declaring the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry elections held in 2024 as completely transparent and in accordance with the law. This was stated during a press conference at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry by LCCI President Mian Abuzar Shad, Senior Vice President Engineer Khalid Usman, Vice President Shahid Nazir Chaudhry, former presidents Mian Anjum Nisar and Muhammad Ali Mian, former Senior Vice President Ali Hussam Asghar, former Vice President Faheem-ur-Rehman Saigol and Chief Election Commissioner Nasrullah Mughal. Executive Committee Members were also present on the occasion. They said that the LCCI elections were held on September 23 and 24, 2024, with overwhelming participation from Lahore's business community, resulting in a historic victory for the PPP Alliance. The business community exercised its democratic right and elected their representatives with full enthusiasm. 'While the business community had already given their verdict on the election days, a few individuals chose to challenge the results before the DGTO in an attempt to create controversy,' they added. They said that the DGTO thoroughly heard both sides with patience, impartiality, and integrity. After examining all the evidence, including documents, videos, and election records, the DGTO issued a detailed verdict declaring the LCCI elections to be free, fair, and strictly in accordance with the rules and regulations. In the spirit of fairness, the DGTO also ordered a recount of votes, which we accepted wholeheartedly,' they said. 'The recount confirmed the same result as the original election. They said that despite this, the opposing group further appealed to the Secretary Commerce. We highly appreciate secretary Commerce who conducted a six-hour hearing, listened to both parties in detail, analyzed all evidence and ground realities, and finally endorsed the DGTO's decision. They said that this decision is not just a victory for a group but a triumph of principles, democratic values, and institutional integrity. It proves that our institutions are becoming stronger, the system is active, and truth can never be hidden. They said that we are not power-hungry or obsessed with titles, we are here with a spirit of service. The trust placed in us by the business community is a sacred responsibility. 'We have no personal enmity with anyone, but if anyone tries to weaken the Chamber's system, we will respond strongly within the framework of the Constitution and the law', they said. They extended heartfelt gratitude to their team members, supporters, voters, business leaders and elders. This is a collective success, and now we must move forward with unity and resolve. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
DGTO issues injunctive order against PSMA Central elections
ISLAMABAD: The Director General Trade Organizations (DGTO) has issued injunctive order against the elections of Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) Central on the complaint of PSMA (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), disallowing the current body to function. According to the order signed by the DGTO, Bilal Khan Pasha, a petition of April 18, 2025 was lodged by the Complainant Rizwan Ullah Khan (Chairman, KPK Region and member of the Central Executive Committee of the Pakistan Sugar Mills Association) challenging the legality of an election conducted by the retired Executive Committee (2022-24). Asim Ghani Usman and eleven others were made party in the complaint. The order states that copies of the complaint and a notice of hearing for April 29, 2025 at 1400 hrs were dispatched by courier and e-mail on April 23, 2025, with delivery confirmations on file. Zaka elected PSMA-Centre chief On April 29, 2025 the Complainant and counsel attended; no Respondent or authorised representative appeared and no written reply has been received. After the hearing concluded, the office received a letter of April26, 2025 from Taimoor Aslam Khan, Advocate Supreme Court, on behalf of the Respondents. Relying on an appeal pending before the Islamabad High Court (CMA No 02 of 2025 in an appeal under Section 21(4) TOA 2013), the letter sought an adjournment sine die on the ground that the present dispute is sub-judice. The DGTO said that the letter, however, does not explain the Respondents' failure to appear on April 29, 2025 despite due service, adding that the Complainant has prima facie established urgency and potential irreparable harm, as the Respondents are reportedly functioning as office bearers of PSMA on the basis of an election declared illegal in the complaint. The DGTO further stated that the respondents' failure to appear or respond to correspondence raises concerns about procedural fairness and compliance with statutory obligations under the Trade Organisations Act, 2013 and Rules, 2013. 'Allowing such actions to proceed before adjudication risks irreparable prejudice, possible third-party complications, and frustration of any eventual relief,' the Order said. The Respondents' silence and non-attendance, despite duly-served notice, justify interim protection of the Association's affairs. The interim order of January20, 2025 of the Islamabad High Court merely declares that 'any election held pursuant to the impugned order shall be subject to the final outcome of the instant appeal.' It neither stays the working of PSMA nor restrains this office from exercising its statutory powers under Section 14 of TOA 2013 regarding events that transpired after 30 September 2024. Consequently, the plea to adjourn these proceedings sine die is misconceived and is hereby declined. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
