ISLAMABAD, Feb 1: The prime minister’s decision to establish Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) in place of the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) is facing stiff resistance from the officers and officials of commerce and trade group as well as parliamentarians, Dawn has learnt.

Chairman of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Commerce Iqbal Mohammad Ali Khan told Dawn on Wednesday that he had convened a meeting of the committee on Monday on one-point agenda to discuss the proposed establishment of the TDAP.

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has approved the establishment of the TDAP as part of the restructuring of the EPB with a claim to bring a quantum jump in exports.

Answering a question, Mr Khan said that that the meeting had been convened on the persistent demand of the 18 parliamentarians to look into the matter.

“We have not been taken into confidence on the restructuring of the EPB. We came to know through media that prime minister approved establishment of new authority,” the chairman said.

He said that it was strange that the decision came at a time when the EPB had already sent invitation to more than 1,000 people for the upcoming mega event of Expo Pakistan 2006. The event is scheduled to be held next month in Karachi.

“I do not see any urgency in the setting up of a new institution at this juncture. Many people have already confirmed their booking for the event,” he remarked.

He said that his committee would look into the details of the proposal. “We would oppose any retrenchment of the EPB employees. It is not sufficient to say that employees would not be disturbed. Many people lost their jobs in the nationalization process of the banks in the country,” he added.

Mr Khan went on to say that it was not a matter of one person but the livelihood of the thousands of employees of the EPB. “We already have unemployment problem in Karachi. We would not let it happen,” he said.

According to the sources, the officers and officials of the EPB Lahore would go on strike on Friday to protest the decision of the government. The commerce ministry officers would also wear black armbands from Friday to press for their demands.

Meanwhile, in the EPB, the sources said, a meeting of the officers was convened on Wednesday by chairman and vice chairman to brief them on the proposed establishment of the TDAP.

The sources said that the officers boycotted the meeting and went on strike to protest the decision. They blocked the road for a while and chanted slogans against the EPB chairman.

According to the sources, the commerce and trade group would not join the TDAP as they have spent over 10 yeas of their life in the specialized group of trade. “It would be a contractual employment for a certain period and could be terminated by CEO at any time,” the sources added.

Under the proposed plan, the sources said the officers of BPS19-20 would be merged in the secretariat group and BPS17-18 would be merged in the OMG group.