Court bars TDAP CEO from interfering in FPCCI elections

Petitioner argued that the CEO was also not qualified for the TDAP slot

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court has issued a stay order barring the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) SM Muneer from interfering in politics of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) which is scheduled to hold elections in December.

The stay order was granted on a petition of former senator and candidate for the slot of FPCCI President Ghulam Ali through his counsel Chaudhry Mushtaq Ahmed Khan.



Ali pleaded that the TDAP chief is a government servant, who is actively participating in election activities of the FPCCI by misusing his official powers and resources, which is a sheer violation of rules.

Moreover, the petitioner said the appointment of Muneer was itself a violation of rules and the criteria set by the government and mentioned in the advertisement for the TDAP chief post.

It was pointed out that Transparency International has also taken notice of the violation and written to the prime minister in this regard.



The petitioner said according to the advertisement issued by the government for the TDAP CEO’s office, the candidate must be a master’s degree holder, must not be more than 60 years and should not be dual nationality holder.

He objected that credentials of Muneer negate all the three key prerequisites, saying Muneer is only an undergraduate (TDAP’s website, however, mentions that he is a graduate), is more than 70 years of age and holds two nationalities, Pakistan’s and Canada’s.

While hearing the petition, Justice Amir Farooq issued a stay order, barring the chief executive officer of TDAP from taking part in the chamber politics and sought records of his appointment from the departments concerned, which will be required to produce them in the next hearing on December 10.



Furthermore, the Islamabad High Court also directed the federal government to submit the record and a detailed reply regarding the TDAP CEO’s appointment in the next hearing.

The TDAP, established in 2006, has been tasked with keeping a close watch on global trade developments rather than just an export promotion body.

It participates in 60 to 80 international trade exhibitions annually, sends trade delegations abroad, organises the Expo Pakistan and implements various trade policy initiatives announced by the Ministry of Commerce.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 28^th,  2015.

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