Confusion prevails as the Chief Executive of Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) S M Munir, continues holding office despite completing his three years’ tenure as head of TDAP, the country’s only responsible body for improving exports. The CE, who has completed his term on March 18, is still enjoying the portfolio without any extension on the part of the government.
Officials at TDAP claim that his appointment, as per the order, was made till issuance of any further order in the regard. According to them, the Establishment Division had issued a notification of S M Munir’s appointment on March 12, 2014, as CE TDAP on a contractual basis, solely on the honorific basis (without any salary) and till further orders. Following the order, S M Munir had assumed the charge on March 18, 2014.
However, his position, after completing the tenure, is questionable as per the TDAP Act 2013, which clearly states that “there shall be a chief executive of the authority who shall be appointed by the federal government for a tenure of three years, extendable by the federal government. The chief executive shall, however, serve at the pleasure of the federal government”. “As per the act, he is no more chief executive of TDAP”, experts believe.
The Ministry of Commerce had nothing to do with the appointment of Munir, since he, being a friend of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, was appointed directly by the prime minister. In this ambiguous situation, the ministry was not much interested in looking into the issue, waiting for a response from the prime minister’s secretariat. However, officials at the ministry claimed that MoC has sought a legal opinion as to whether Munir’s continuation as the CE would be in accordance with establishment division’s notification or the TDAP Act.
The head of TDAP, during his three years’ tenure, has also actively been involved in politics of trade bodies, especially at the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) despite the authority being questioned for its failure to meet the desired objectives. The authority has been facing criticism for its failure to improve exports.
S M Muneer, as head of TDAP, has also been enjoying the portfolio of Director on Board at Pakistan Canada Business Council, contrary to the TDAP Act, which binds the CE as a full-time employee of the authority.
Chairman FPPCI’s Standing Committee on Horticulture Exports Ahmed Jawad said that MoC has approached the ministry of law and justice to clear the position of CE TDAP, keeping in view the appointment order and the act of the authority. “As the legal experts believe, the ministry should ultimately follow the Act,” he said.
In reply to a query, he said due to the active involvement of S M Munir and his office, trade bodies at FPCCI were divided into two groups. The CE TDAP used his office to get the support of chambers of commerce for the group he supported or headed at FPCCI. According to him, S M Munir is more interested in politics, expos, fashion shows and foreign visits instead of making any serious efforts to improve the exports, especially in textile sector.
However, official sources at TDAP claimed that the political activities of the CE were not in a conflict of interest, but to proceed in policy formulation and implementation, in a Public-Private partnership mode, aiming at maximising the benefits of experiences of both the sectors. As per Section 5(2) of the TDAP Act, 2014 provides that “the tenure of the chief executive shall be three years, extendable by the federal government. The chief executive shall, however, serve at the pleasure of the federal government”.
