Pakistan International Freight Forwarders Association (PIFFA) chairman in a statement said despite registering our reservations on PCLRA (Pakistan Courier & Logistics Regulatory Authority) Bill, the Senate of Pakistan endorsed the Bill yesterday without any consultation with stakeholders. He noted that the Bill will adversely affect member international freight forwarders and logistics service providers.
The composition of Authority envisaged in PCLRA Bill is highly imbalanced having 09 ex-officio members from government and only two from private sector and imply that regulated companies will have no voice in the functioning of the Authority.
He added that the association members work under code of conduct and look forward to operate under a regulatory regime which assists in development of logistics industry without imposing too many regulations and barriers.
The PCLRA Bill so passed have many flaws like decisions of director general of Authority will be final and leaves no recourse to the court of law and there are many more clauses that disregard SECP and Competition Commission of Pakistan rules.
Interestingly the Bill does not allow Licensee Company to cease operations without the approval of Authority nor allow transfer of majority shares without permission. Thus the Bill is creating panic within in our logistics industry because freight forwarders are following best international practices being FIATA representative in Pakistan which is world's renowned logistics federation.
Jamil earnestly requested National Assembly Members to provide opportunity of consultation to stakeholders and review and remove errant and punitive clauses to make PCLRA Bill more workable and business friendly in particular do not hurt flexibility and freedom of SME Members.-PR