ZAHID BAIG

LAHORE: Taking notice of unwarranted position of chief patron of the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP), the Directorate General of Trade Organisations (Ministry of Commerce) has asked REAP Chairman Mahmood Baqi Moulvi to explain his position in writing within 15 days on this issue besides bringing activities of the association within the defined parameters of Trade Organisations Act, 2013, and Memorandum & Articles of Association of REAP.

According to sources, appointment of Abdur Raheem Janoo as patron in chief of REAP has created rift among the ranks of ruling group which is winning election of the Association for the last eight years without any tough competition.

The sources said according to the REAP Memorandum & Articles of Association and Trade Organisations Act 2013, there is no office of patron in chief in this association except chairman and senior vice-chairmen who run the affairs of the association.

To express their reservations, a delegation of the REAP led by its Senior Vice Chairman Shahjahan Malik and some managing committee members met Federal Minister of Commerce Khurram Dastgir and apprised him about the creation of unnecessary post of the patron in chief and his intervention in the affairs of the association, the sources added.

Following this meeting, Directorate General of the Trade Organisations had issued a notice No# 18(43)2008-T dated April 14, 2017, to the Chairman REAP saying the appointment of the chief patron is not mandated as per the Trade Organization Act 2013. Such tendencies encourage personal monopoly which violates the spirit of Trade Organizations Act, 2013, and Trade Organization Rules, 2013.

It further said that a representation filed in DGTO Office by REAP members shows reservations regarding decisions being taken by the chief patron for the distribution of quotas and selection of REAP delegations for visits abroad. The decision taken by the chairman should have lawful assent of the executive committee.

Summing up, the DGTO had asked the REAP chairman to explain his position on the subject above and also bring his activities within the defined parameters.

Talking to Business Recorder, Senior Vice Chairman REAP Shahjahan Malik said there was no such position as patron in chief in the REAP constitution. It has been created illegally as there was neither any election held for this post nor this position has any specific tenure. He admitted that they had presented their reservations to the Commerce Minister in this regard.