The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has taken notice of an Institute of Chartered Accounts of Pakistan (ICAP) circular that barred the latter’s member audit firms from engaging non-ICAP students, and students with foreign qualifications.
The CCP had received complaints concerning the circular – dated July 4, 2012 – issued by ICAP, in which all its members firms have been barred from providing training opportunities to non-ICAP students, in particular to students with accreditation from foreign accountancy bodies.
According to the ICAP circular, the bar has been imposed under Section 22 of the Chartered Accountants Ordinance, 1961. The bar appears, prima facie, to exclude and place a barrier to entry on students of foreign accountancy bodies wishing to pursue accountancy qualifications in Pakistan; the Commission has therefore asked ICAP to explain the rationale behind the move by July 23, 2012.
However, as a meeting of the ICAP Council is already scheduled for July 28, 2012, ICAP has requested for an extension to July 31, 2012, for filing a formal reply. The CCP has granted the extension, and on receipt of a reply from ICAP, the CCP will proceed with further investigation in the matter.
Additionally, the Commission has also requested feedback from foreign accountancy bodies such as the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants.
The CCP is still awaiting a response from the two parties in this regard.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 27th, 2012.
COMMENTS (4)
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icaew students are also not allowed to get trainig in pakistani audit firms but can get in other organizations like pace, etc. @Mudassar:
Correct step by the Competition Comission of Pakistan.The fate of 200,000 very young and bright , Pakistani,s has been put at stake by this apparently biased , discriminatory and malafide move by ICAP.The Acca has been allowed to operate in Pakistan.The HEC has recognised full ACCA as equal to M.COM of Pakistani Universities.The ICAP officially gives vaiver to acca students in some of the papers pursuing their ca programme.HOWCAN THEY VAN THE ENTRY OF PAKISTANI NATIONALS IN ESTABLISHMENTS OPRRATING IN PAKISTAN.THIS IS A MOCKERY OF HUMAN RIGHTS AS ENSHRINED IN OUR CONSTITUTION
What about ICAEW ... please tell us that we'll be allowed to have articles of ICAEW in Pakistani Audit firms
ICAP is a monopoly and they regulate supply of graduates I fully support the action of Competition Commission of Pakistan