Tariq Waheed on Saturday was elected Chairman of Pakistan Steel Re-Rolling Mills Association, and Shoaib Arshad as Vice Chairman (Lahore Circle) and Shahnawaz Ishtiaq Vice Chairman (Karachi Circle) for the year 2011-12.
The results were announced at the 50th Annual General Meeting of the Association held here at Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Steel industry leader Mohammad Akbar, the LCCI former presidents Mian Muhammad Ashraf, Iftikhar Ali Malik and a large number of businessmen were present on the occasion.
The Executive Committee members elected for the year 2011-12 are: Executive Committee (Lahore Circle) ariq Waheed, M Shoaib Akhtar, Mian Manzoor Ahmad, Mian Ahmad Hassan, Mian Muhammad Saeed, Karim Aziz Malik. Executive Committee Members for Karachi Circle are Shahnawaz Ishtiaq, Khurram Ishtiaq, Akhtar Saeed, Najam Mehmood Sadiq, Ghulam Ali Bhattia and Iftikhar Ali.
Earlier, Pakistan Steel Re-Rolling Mills Association strongly rejected recently issued SRO 821(I) 2011 saying that it would have devastating effect on the businesses as the compulsory requirement of NTN or CNIC of each and every purchaser or seller is practically impossible.
The Association members also demanded of the government to ensure availability of quality raw material on affordable prices. They said that steel industry should be exempted from load shedding and curtailment of gas. Increase in electricity tariff should be withdrawn and unreasonable high prices of electricity and gas should be minimised up to possible extent for the survival of industry.
They said that imposition of sales tax in gas bills should be withdrawn as it was double taxation. They demanded to take measures in eradication of theft of electricity and to take severe action against the culprits saving our country, economy and industry. They said that unnecessary burden of 3.5 per cent Withholding Tax on sale/supplies should immediately be reduced to 1% per cent by including re-rolling industry in SRO 787. They said that the levy of 1 percent turnover tax be withdrawn from the manufacturers being burden on steel sector.
Mohammad Ashraf said that steel re-rolling mills must evolve strategy to cope with water wastage. He called for construction of ponds in all re-rolling mills so that the water could be reused otherwise the future generations would face an acute water shortage.
Just before the announcement of final results, the out-going Chairman, Dewan Abu Obaida, presented a detailed report about the challenges faced by the re-rolling industry during preceding year. The House lauded the services of the outgoing Chairman of the Association. Pakistan Re-Rolling Mills Association presented shield to Saarc Vice President, Iftikhar Ali Malik, for his valuable services for the cause of business community.