KARACHI - Five nominations from FPCCI in Trade Organization will affect the neutrality of Trade Organizations Advisory Council. The Director General Trade Organisations (DGTO) has misquoted Rule-13, Sub-rule (2), clause-iv of TOO-2007, maintained President, Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Anjum Nisar in a statement issued here. He was commenting on the notification issued by Directorate General of Trade Organization (DGTO) on appointment in Trade Organizations Advisory Council under Rule-13 of Trade Organizations Rules-2007, wherein nominations were called from public and private sector. From private sector two nominations each were asked from FPCCI and KCCI, Lahore Chamber (LCCI), Sarhad Chamber (SCCI) and Quetta Chamber (QCCI). However, FPCCI was also asked for 3 additional nominations. He recalled that TOO-2007 was made on the recommendation of neutral committee headed a retired judge of Supreme Court of Pakistan and in consultation with all stakeholders including business and industrial community of Pakistan. Anjum Nisar highlighted that Rule-13, Sub-rule (2), Clause-vi of TOO-2007 for Trade Organizations Advisory Council refers to appoint three prominent businessmen as Members (without referring any particular trade body). He lamented that DGTO in his letter No. F. 20(1)/2009-Admn dated August 12, 2009, allegedly misquoted the said rule and quoted that Rule-13, Sub-rule (2), Clause-vi of TOO-2007 three prominent businessmen (to be nominated by FPCCI) which is highly deplorable. KCCI President, while expressing his concern, articulated that during the past it was observed that some paper-based Chambers and Associations had played their part in the election process of FPCCI. The matter was discussed with Government at various forums and the record showed and proved that 180 associations were affiliated with FPCCI which was reduced to 109 last year proving that such paper-based associations did exist. In view of the fact and objection raised by KCCI, last year DGTO also issued a letter to FPCCI to postpone its elections. In that letter DGTO declared that at that period of time, Senate Standing Committee on Commerce was carrying out review of implementation of Trade Organization Ordinance 2007 and had identified eleven bodies whose credentials are under investigation. Besides applicability of TOO 2007 to FATA, AJK and Northern Areas was still under process and Dera Ismail Khan Chamber of Commerce and Industry was disqualified for participation in FPCCI elections. He was of the opinion that as per Rule-13, Sub-rule (2), Clause-v of TOO-2007, two nominations each from FPCCI, KCCI, LCCI, SCCI and QCCI, proposed on the basis of provincial head quarters and federal capital, were adequate for Trade Organizations Advisory Council. Whereas 3 additional nominations from FPCCI would put a question mark on the neutrality of Trade Organizations Advisory Council, he maitained. He strongly urged that as per Rule-13, Sub-rule (2), Clause-vi of TOO-2007, Three (3) prominent businessmen shall be nominated through Ministry of Commerce on the recommendation and consultation of leading provincial trade bodies KCCI, LCCI, SCCI and QCCI.