Mr. Aftab Barlas Acting President FPCCI has reacted on the news, which appeared in some newspapers about the non-consultation of the local chambers of commerce and industry in formulation of the federal budget. Mr. Barlas has mentioned that Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) submitted comprehensive budget proposals on behalf of the industry and business community.

FPCCI has organized several workshops and meetings with the concerned authorities including Advisor to Prim Minister Mr. Shaukat Tarin, Chairman Federal Board of Revenue, and Chairman TDAP. FPCCI's views have also been exchanged with the governor State Bank of Pakistan and the IMF authorities based in Islamabad.

Being the apex trade body, the FPCCI cared to cater the benefits of all its member bodies. In several meetings of the working group, the proposals submitted by the member bodies were discussed in detail. Some contradictory proposals received by the member bodies were re-examined and the final proposals were redesigned in line with the best interests of the nation.

FPCCI is the apex trade body and sole representative of all local chambers of commerce and industry and the registered trade associations in Pakistan. All chambers of commerce and recognized trade associations in Pakistan are the members of FPCCI. The local chambers of commerce and industry in Pakistan and the trade associations are the constituent bodies of FPCCI; they are not its competitors or substitutes.

Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) has presented its recommendations for the federal budget 2009-10 on completely impartial, unbiased and transparent basis. The accelerated economic growth in long-term and providing the relief in short-term to the over burdened segments of the society in general and business community in particular are the principles adopted in the formulation of budget proposals. The official draft of the proposals budget formulation for the 'Federal Budget' was forwarded with the underlying assumption that incorporation of the proposed measures will further improve the economic performance of the country.

Mr. Aftab Barlas has mentioned that a delegation of the FPCCI led by Mr. Sulatn A. Chawla will also meet Mr. Asif Ali Zardari President Islamic Republic Pakistan to discuss the economic and fiscal issues to be incorporated in the forthcoming budget. All these events indicate that FPCCI is very much concerned with the budgetary proposals and have close liaison with the budget formulating authorities and government functionaries. In these circumstances, there is no justification to allege budget making authorities.