Govt urged to take note of fake award ceremonies

By Asad Cheema

ISLAMABAD: United Group of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) on Sunday said the majority of chambers of commerce and trade associations have made award distribution ceremonies a lucrative business. It said these awards are not given on merit but sold to the highest bidders which should be noticed by the concerned authorities.
Chairman of the United Group Habibullah Zahid, Senior Vice Chairman Shahid Zaman Shinwari and Coordinator Ch. Jamil said that the government should take notice of discrimination and malpractices in the name of export awards, achievement awards etc. They said that ICCI is top hold 3rd Achievement Awards on Sept 3 in which merit is being ignored and awards are being openly sold. According to the circular of ICCI the price for Platinum Award of Rs2 million, Diamond Award is for Rs1 million while Gold Award is being sold for Rs0.5 million, they informed.