Horticulture exporters oppose shifting of FPCCI headquarters to Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: The All Pakistan Fruit & Vegetable Exporters, Importers & Merchants Association (PFVA) has strongly denounced the proposal to shift the head office of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) from Karachi to Islamabad, terming it a “deep conspiracy” against the business community of the port city. 

In a statement issued on Saturday, PFVA Patron-in-Chief Waheed Ahmed maintained that the group currently running the FPCCI affairs has failed to provide any sort of financial relief to the city’s business community during the coronavirus pandemic, particularly SMEs and small traders. 

“Despite tall claims by the FPCCI leadership, the issues of the business community of Karachi remained unresolved,” he stated. Giving examples, he said, nothing had been done to reduce demurrage and penalties imposed by shipping companies during the pandemic. Similarly, many proposals submitted by the FPCCI for the federal budget were discarded by the government. 

He alleged that the FPCCI leadership was suffering from internal tussles, adding that “unelected representatives” have “virtually highjacked” the head office of the FPCCI. The incumbent leadership is mulling to shift the head office to Islamabad only to “hide” their internal differences and incompetence, he added.

“Karachi is the economic hub of the country, generating 70pc revenue for the federal government. The seaport of this city plays a vital role in the export and import of various commodities and hence most of the problems faced by the businessmen are related to the federal departments located in the city,” the PFVA chairman said. 

If the FPCCI leadership cannot resolve issues of the businessmen community, it should at least not weaken the important business platform by shifting its head office from Karachi, he concluded.