KARACHI:Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s delegation led by its Convener Khalid Maqbool Siddique on Tuesday visited the Federation House, the Headquarters of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry and sought the business community’s support against , what they called, “ Black Law of Local Governments” introduced by Sindh Government of Pakistan Peoples Party.
They also invited FPCCI office bearers to attend the joint session of the political and economic stakeholders of Karachi on “ Black LG Law” to be held at a local hotel on Wednesday.
Other MQM leaders were Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecom, Syed Amin-ul-Haq and MPA Jawed Hanif Khan, said FPCCI statement.
MQM’s Convener Khalid Maqbool Siddique briefed the business leaders about the changes made in the LG law for gradual transferring administrative powers from City Mayor and Local Governments to Provincial Government.
He said that FPCCI being the Apex trade body representing the trade and industry of the country should play an effective role in bringing amendment required for better services delivery to the different sectors of the economy.
Federal IT Minister Amin ul Haq informed that being an elected member of the Parliament from Karachi he was taking up the issues related to trade and industry.
He said,” we, MQM, are coalition partners but cannot forget that we are elected by your votes. We are your representative in the Lower and Upper Houses.”
He informed that MQM had submitted its reservations on various issues relating to sales tax rates , specifically on IT items.
He said MQM Parliamentarians had planned to increase their interaction with the trade bodies especially FPCCI to get feedback from the business community of Karachi on the trade and industry related issues, which fell within ambit of the Federal Government.
FPCCI President Irfan Iqbal Sheikh, responding to MQM’s invitation, said , “ we take it as a positive approach by MQM leadership who acknowledged us as important economic stakeholders.
FPCCI’s former vice president Engr. M. A. Jabbar commented that the best form of government was to ensure access of the people and provide facilities at their door-step. Universally, he added, in democratic societies the function and power were delegated to Local Governments.
Good number of business leaders including FPCCI present and former office bearers attended the meeting.