ISLAMABAD: Director General Trade Organizations (DGTO) deciding a pre-election complaint filed by Sheikh Muhammad Tariq and others against Healthcare Devices Association of Pakistan (HDAP) seeking annulment of annual elections on ground of serious irregularities declines to annul the same and instead accepted a report/recommendations of an Inquiry Committee.
The DGTO however slapped a fine of rupees 25000 on ground of non-compliance of Trade Organization Rule 2013 to be paid in 15 days time.
The DGTO heard the case on 16-11-2021 and order was issued on 21-2-2022 in the pre-election complaint seeking annulment of elections for the year 2021-22 of HDAP.
The order refers to the observations made by the Inquiry Committee which said that members of the Trade Organization Rules 2013. Beside it found that HDAP failed to comply with the Rule 22 and 23 of the TO Rules 2013 and has minor failure s in showing expenditure and financial reports to its General Body.
The inquiry Committee however said that irregularities found by it are not sufficient ground for annulment of elections which falls within the legal of Section 14(3) (f) (iii) of the Trade Organization Act and such irregularities only attract penalty by the DGTO under Section 25 of the same Act.
The DGTO agreeing with the findings and recommendations of the Inquiry Committee declined the pre-election complaint for annulment of elections for the term 2021-22 and slapped a fine of rupees 25000 only upon the delinquent association.