KARACHI: Islamabad United Group has asked the government to slap a ban on award ceremonies by different chambers of commerce which are serving no purpose.
These awards have nothing to do with exports or achievement and such events are just meant to generate revenue which is later wasted by the majority of chambers, it said. Some chambers have failed to hold such award ceremonies and now they are blaming pandemic for it while others are holding such events, said Abid Khan, Chairman Islamabad United Group of ICCI.
The awards should reflect the achievements of individuals and companies including outstanding work, impressive strategic growth and excellence in client service, production, or exports, he added. Khan said that awards should honour the work of national and international firms based on achievements which is unfortunately not the case.
These awards should highlight how businesses serve as a force for good, expanding opportunity and driving progress in every aspect of society including tackling unemployment by creating jobs and opportunities for everyone to succeed. He said that different chambers have invented attractive slogans for such events which given an opportunity to the businessmen to have pictures with top government officials.
A known chamber of commerce charges half a million rupees from every award aspirant while the Islamabad Chamber is charging Rs2.5 million rupees from every recipient in advance for the excellence awards, he informed. However, when contacted, a spokesman of ICCI said that awards are free and the money is being charged to meet the expanses of publishing supplements in different national newspapers and printing profile book.