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PAD denies PPF asked to suspend its activities

Following recent reports in the local Press, claiming that the association had asked the PPF to stop its activities after complaints were made that the PPF was infringing on the work of the Pakistan Business Council (PBC), PAD President Shafi Samana clarified that there was no dispute between the association and PPF.

He said that the association had received a letter from the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) stating that the activities of PPF were ‘overlapping’ with those of the PBC.

“We just forwarded the letter to the PPF, and asked them to clarify the issue with the DCCI through the association,” he explained. “As the forum operates as a wing of the association, it is our responsibility to inform them of the DCCI’s demand, but we as an association have no problem with their activities,” he said.

The forum, formed in 1987, has been operating as a wing of the association. Other wings are the Pakistan Association Ladies’ Wing and Chartered Accountants Wing.

PPF Chairman Ahsan Rahim said that the decision now lay with the DCCI as to what action to be taken. “We might get a new licence to operate as an independent group of professionals,” he said. “We are seeking a meeting with the DCCI officials by next month and hopefully the matter will be resolved by then,” he said.

Mr Samana said that the association did not want the community to be divided on any issue. “We are a small community, and we do not want any divisions among ourselves,” he added.

Various business councils have been formed by the DCCI in Dubai so that it has better coordination and can also promote business activities.

Mr Rahim said that the forum was formed to promote social, professional and intellectual activities among the Pakistanis in the UAE. “The forum also acts as a go between the Pakistanis and the UAE nationals,” he added.

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