ISLAMABAD: In an interesting development Directorate General of Trade Office (DGTO) of Ministry of Commerce has suspended the office bearers of newly established Skardu Chamber of Commerce and Industry for alleged issuance of around 1679 visa recommendation letters to foreigners without approval of executive Committee and other violations of Trade Organization Act 2013.
As per documents available with this scribe, the president of Skardu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), who is reportedly a non-local having no business in the area, has issued 1679 visa recommendation letters to foreigners especially Chinese of only three companies which have alarmed not only DGTO but the concerned authorities.
As per the complaints registered by Secretary General Ahmed Ali and Vice President Khuwaja Kazim, the incumbent president, while sitting in Islamabad has issued such a large number of Business Visa Recommendation letters to foreigners and non-members without approval of Executive Committee and consulting the Secretary General and other office bearers.
The president of the chamber Arif Mehmood has also been accused of misusing the name of SCCI and operating the chamber from Islamabad.
The DGTO has also been informed that the CE members through a resolution have immediately de-seated Arif Mehmood as president.
The DGTO office after security of records and hearing the case, has come to the conclusion that the SCCI is not being run in accordance with the provision of Trade Organization Act 2013 and Trade Organizations Rules 2013.
“As the office bearers of SCCI (President, Sr. Vice President and Vice President), are involved in irregularities in the Chamber, therefore, the status / functions of the office bearers of the Chamber are suspended till completion of the enquiry proceeding,” the DGTO’s notice said.
The DGTO office has directed the suspended president and CE members to submit required records.
Meanwhile, according to sources, the Federal Investigation Agency has initiated an inquiry into the matter related to issuance of business visa recommendation letters by Arif Mehmood of SCCI.
