20000314

Dittu's accusations

denied by

Waqar Monnoo

RECORDER REPORT

KARACHI: Fazal-ur-Rehman Dittu, President, Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry, has issued a show-cause notice to Muhammad Waqar Monnoo, member, managing committee of the FPCCI, for involving himself "in such affairs which are detrimental and prejudicial to the interest of the FPCCI."

Monnoo has denied all charges and said : "kindly note, that your acts may amount to thwarting and obstructing the course of justice in pending legal proceedings and can be visited by contempt of court proceedings." Any action that you take on the basis of the show cause notice under reply shall be unwarranted and shall be entirely at your risk as to consequences."

In the notice issued on March 8 Dittu recalled how Monnoo acted against the interests of the FPCCI of promoting unanimity and harmony among various chambers and trade and industrial associations. Monnoo filed a suit against FPCCI, the Arbitration Tribunal constituted by the FPCCI and others in the High Court of Sindh. After this suit was dismissed by the High Court, Monnoo filed another suit involving the FPCCI and the Arbitration Tribunal.

According to the relevant law the managing committee of the FPCCI is empowered to constitute Arbitration Tribunal for the matters mentioned in section 12 of the Trade Organisations Ordinance 1961.

The notice issued by Dittu to Monnoo, said, "The FPCCI is apex trade body of the country and your deliberate and wilful acts, levelling false allegations against the apex trade body cannot be ignored as the same are affecting seriously the reputation of the members of the FPCCI on the one hand and the FPCCI itself as an institution on the other hand."

Monnoo was given seven days to explain in writing as to why appropriate action should not be taken against him.

In his reply sent on March 11, 2000 Waqar Monnoo has denied his involvement in any acts that are detrimental or prejudicial to the interest of the FPCCI. " I am a nominee on the managing committee to safeguard the interest of electorate as well. Regretfully the intentions of the show cause notice appears to be to coerce me to refrain from taking recourse for redressal of my grievance before the judicial forum established by law," he said.

Seeking vindication of my rights through the legal process can in no manner form the basis of any disciplinary charge against me, he added.