FPCCI considering closing down some regional offices due to financial crisis

Lahore: The largest trade organisation of Pakistan, Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) is going through worst financial crisis which has posed a serious challenge to its integrity.

Many employees working in the regional offices of FPCCI at Peshawar, Quetta and Islamabad have been terminated while monthly funds of these offices have been slashed.

Insiders say that some employees are being forced to work on reduced salaries which is highly illegal.

Regional offices of the Apex Chamber were not allowed to use generators during load shedding which continued throughout the holy month of Ramadan making life difficult for the staff, they added.

The situation has pushed FPCCI to start considering closing down some regional offices, two offices in China and to shelve plan to open an office in Dubai.

It may be mentioned that few years back FPCCI faced a similar financial crisis but former president FPCCI Senator Ghulam Ali managed Rs 50 million grant bailing out the troubled body.

However, no lesson was learnt and the plunder continued which has emerged as a threat for the chamber. Moreover, Ghulam Ali and top government officials have told the FPCCI leaders that they don’t have any funds at this time.

When contacted, former VP FPCCI Engineer Daro Khan Achakzai and other trade leaders alleged that Tariq Sayeed enjoys undisputed powers therefore he must be held responsible for the situation.

Tariq Sayeed has been plundering resources of FPCCI since decades and he always preferred personal interests over interests of community while his whole family continued to enjoy good life on the cost of FPCCI, they added.