The federal government has appointed Anjum Asad Amin as Member National Tariff Commission (NTC) for five years, official sources told Business Recorder. The NTC was initially established through the NTC Act 1990 under the Ministry of Commerce (MoC). Since 1995, the primary role of the NYC has been to administer "trade defence laws" i.e. anti-dumping duties, countervailing duties as well as "safeguard duties" to protect Pakistan's trade interests.
The global growth of protectionism and its impact on Pakistan's trade compelled Commerce Ministry to make necessary amendments in the NTC laws so as to make them more effective for ensuring fair trading conditions for Pakistan. Accordingly, modified Act was placed before the Parliament which was approved in September, 2015.
An advertisement was made on December 30, 2017 to invite applications for appointment of members of the Commissions. In response, 104 applications were received by the closing date i.e. January 14, 2018. A committee constituted by the Commerce Division shortlisted 21 candidates by evaluating their educational qualifications, relevant experience, work related to World Trade Organisation (WTO) and Trade Remedy Laws. However, only 17 applicants appeared for the interview.
Special Selection Committee as approved by the prime minister conducted a meeting on May 16, 2018 in the Commerce Division for selection of the members. The committee unanimously recommended the following candidates in order of merit, for appointment as Member of NTC, for a term of five years as stipulated under section 4 and 7 of the NTC, 2015 or attaining the age of 65 years whichever is earlier: (i) Anjum Asad Amin; (ii) Naeem Anwar and; (iii) Muhammad Saleem.
The sources said the Commerce Division forwarded the relevant summary to the prime minister on May 18, 2018. The then prime minister, however, directed that the matter shall be placed before the next elected government for a decision in the matter.
On November 28, 2018, the newly elected Prime Minister, who is also Minister Incharge Ministry of Commerce and Textile, desired that the proposal for selection of one member from the panel of candidates may be placed before the cabinet for consideration.
According to sources, when the proposal came under consideration in the federal cabinet on January 10, 2019, it approved Anjum Asad Amin as Member NTC for a term of five years as stipulated under section 4 and 7 of the NTC Act, 2015 or attaining the age of 65 whichever is earlier.
Presently, the Commission comprises Abdul Khaliq, Chairman in place of Qasim Niaz whose case is pending in court, Robina Ather, Member, and Tipu Sultan, Member. With the induction of Anjum Asad Amin as new Member, the Commission will further strengthen its working.
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