Couple of exporters from fruit/vegetable and rice sector who visited FPCCI to convince the high ups of the apex body for holding a media briefing against the current strike which has practically halted country's exports, left very dejected as according to Waheed Ahmed of Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters, Importers and Merchant Association (PFVA), President FPCCI, Haji Fazal Kadir Sherani paid no heed toward their request.
"I with another exporter/ representative from Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) had specially gone to FPPCI but the way the FPCCI president turned down our request was highly discouraging,' Waheed said adding that while the exporters are going pillar to post to resolve the issue the negligence on the part of FPCCI was beyond expectations.
"We will now approach Ministry of Commerce and other concerned authorities as we have now no expectations from apex body," Waheed mentioned. He further said that his association would not participate in the scheduled food show from December 12 to 13 in India after the situation developed in the country.
However, talking to Business Recorder, Vice President and Spokesperson of FPCCI, Shakeel Dhengra denied the development saying that he personally had approached Waheed and suggested him to talk to Secretary Commerce. He also tried to clarify the remarks about the president FPCCI saying that all members of the body, being exporters and traders are equally concerned about the present situation where export activities have come to a complete halt. He denied that FPCCI president had passed such remarks. "We are the concerned authorities to resolve the issue, whatever we can do is to approach high ups in government and force them to resolve the current crisis started after the transporters' strike," he added.