FAISALABAD: Pakistan is unable to formulate independent economic policies as long as it is in the shackles of International Monitory Fund (IMF), said Mian Muhammad Adrees, president Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI).
He was addressing a meeting of United Business Group (UBG) at Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI) here . It was also attended by vice president SAARC Chamber of Commerce Iftikhar Ali Malik and presidential candidate for FPCCI Abdur Rauf Alam.
He said that Finance Minister is going to negotiate with IMF and hopefully a clear cut policy on 0.3% (With Holding Tax) WHT on banking transactions will be communicated up to December 12, 2015.
Mian Adrees said that he had tried its best to institutionalize FPCCI as he had earlier transformed FCCI. “No doubt our journey is long, yet he has successfully put the FPCCI on the right track and now this institution will provide impartial and professional services to all the businessmen irrespective of their party or group affiliation. He said that the previous regime had recruited incompetent persons due to which this apex institution was unable to serve the business community.
He said that he has tried to run the affairs of FPCCI in consultation with all elected representatives and it was only due to our unity that Prime Minister has entrusted us task to formulate budget and economic policies. “We are also being consulted to finalize the list of foreign trade delegations”, he added. He further told that just few days ago, a circular was issued requesting Federation to advise Government about the re-payment mode of refund claims. He said that this mechanism was worked out and has been communicated to the government and hopefully it will give positive results to the Government as well as business community.
He said that last year few chambers opposed our candidates but this year they have changed their mind only because of our impartial services to the business community. He said that in 2014, UBG emerged victorious with the percentage of 60:40 but this year we will make a clean sweep with the percentage of 80:20. He said that our Federation President will have more powers as situation in Federation has now improved considerably.
Mian Adrees said that he belongs to Faisalabad and he has tried to serve the business community honestly and devotedly. He said that no one can level any allegation of corruption against him as he has not gained any perks but instead have spent Rs 8 million from his own pocket for the refurbishment of Ghafoor Bashir Auditorium in FPCCI.
Iftikhar Ali Malik also addressed the meeting and said that his Group believes in honesty, transparency and commitment to the business community and it will automatically eliminate the dishonest elements from the trade politics.
Abdur Rauf, Presidential candidate for FPCCI said that Mian Adrees has put the Federation on the right track. He has addressed most of the institutional problems in addition to giving a roadmap for the next many years which will certainly help him to serve the business community with a clear and focused approach.
President FCCI Chaudhary Muhammad Nawaz welcomed the participants of the meeting and said that Faisalabad is proud of Mian Adrees. He has not only served the business community of Faisalabad but as President FPCCI, his services would be written in golden words in the business history of Pakistan. He also appreciated the nomination of Abdur Rauf Alam for next president of Federation and hoped that he will try to prove himself as the best substitute of Mian Adrees.
