Latest news with #TradeOrganisationsAct
Business Recorder
18-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
T O Act: Tanveer greets trade bodies for securing amendments
LAHORE: S M Tanveer, Patron-in-Chief, United Business Group (UBG), has extended his heartfelt congratulations to all Chambers and Trade Associations on their monumental achievement of securing amendments to the Trade Organisations Act, 2013. This milestone aligns perfectly with our collective aspirations and marks a significant step forward for our business community, he said. It may be noted that National Assembly of Pakistan has amended the Trade Organisations Act, 2013 as per the aspirations of the business community and removed the controversial provision. Thus, elections of all Chambers and Trade Associations will be held in September 2026, as per schedule, he said. Tanveer said he would like to extend special recognition to FPCCI President Atif Ikram Sheikh, Momin Malik, and Zaki Aijaz for their tireless efforts and unwavering dedication that made this achievement possible. Their exemplary leadership and perseverance have been instrumental in driving this initiative forward. He further said this accomplishment is a testament to the power of collaborative effort and strong leadership. I am confident that it will have a profoundly positive impact on our business community and contribute to the continued growth and development of our economy. 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
Express Tribune
20-02-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Businessmen vehemently reject trade law changes
Listen to article Chambers of commerce and industry, trade and industrial associations of the entire Punjab have unanimously rejected amendments to the Trade Organisations Act 2013 at a convention held at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) and urged the government to immediately withdraw the decision. A joint declaration was issued, which demanded that the government immediately reverse the amendments and hold consultations with the business community. All participants of the convention, while categorically rejecting the amendments made to the Trade Organisations Act, announced that if the government forcibly conducted elections of trade bodies in 2025, offices of all bodies would be locked and their keys would be handed over to the state. They formed an action committee, led by former Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) president Mian Anjum Nisar and comprising all presidents and representatives of the chambers and associations present in the meeting. They will engage with the government and devise a strategy for the future. They urged the president, prime minister and minister for commerce to take immediate notice as bureaucracy was once again attempting to create a rift between the business community and the government. The businessmen emphasised that the decision to conduct re-elections of trade bodies under the "controversial" amendments was nothing but a waste of time and resources. Previous elections were held for a two-year term and holding fresh voting with the same duration makes no sense. In addition, the excessive increase in the regulator's powers will undermine the autonomy and efficiency of chambers and associations. Therefore, "it is crucial that all stakeholders are consulted extensively." Convention participants said that the institutions concerned should facilitate a favourable business environment instead of creating difficulties for businessmen. Policies related to the industry and trade could not be formulated effectively without consulting and incorporating the suggestions of stakeholders, they said. They were of the view that bureaucratic interference in policymaking should be minimised and policies must be aligned with real needs of the business community. "All business organisations, chambers and relevant associations must be included in the policymaking process." Meeting participants stressed that such measures in the current economic situation would severely impact business growth and the economy. With the federal budget approaching, business-related proposals and activities would be disrupted, they voiced fears, adding that the economy runs on taxes, yet traders are being excluded from policy discussions pertaining to their own state of affairs.
