DGTO suspends Rawalpindi Women Chamber for six months, appoints TDAP official as administrator

The Directorate General of Trade Organisations (DGTO) has suspended the Rawalpindi Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RWCCI) for six months and appointed Muhammad Arif Ullah, Director at the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), as administrator.

According to a news report, the decision was issued through Notification No 6(15)/2025-TO dated February 6, 2026. Following the order, the Executive Committee of RWCCI has been superseded and all office-bearers have vacated their positions under Section 16(3) of the Trade Organisations Act, 2013.

Under Section 17 of the Act, the administrator will manage the chamber’s affairs under the supervision of the regulator. He has been directed to take custody of all records, accounts, digital data, seals and other documents, along with possession of the chamber’s movable and immovable assets.

The administrator will also secure compliant office premises in line with the Trade Organisations Rules, 2013, and ensure adequate facilities for record-keeping and meetings. Control of RWCCI bank accounts will be transferred to him, and a financial audit covering 2021–2025 will be conducted to address issues identified in an inquiry report dated August 22, 2025.

The order requires discontinuation of the manual fee collection system and implementation of a bank-linked transaction mechanism. The administrator must also ensure that all pending corporate filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) are completed and that the chamber complies with the Trade Organisations Act and relevant rules.

A primary responsibility of the administrator will be to organise fresh elections for the Executive Committee and office-bearers in accordance with Rules 14 to 19 of the Trade Organisations Rules, 2013, including mandatory 50% corporate representation and the prescribed cooling-off period for former members.

The administrator will submit monthly progress reports to the DGTO and, before completion of the six-month tenure, hand over charge to the newly elected Executive Committee. Expenses incurred during the interim period will be met from the chamber’s income as provided under Section 17(3) of the Act.