KARACHI - The Pakistan Iron Steel Merchants Association (PISMA) have taken a serious note of harassment caused to Karachi based Pakistan Steel Dealers for the last nine days on account of Investigations carried out by FIA Crime Circle to ascertain the level of corruption committed by ex-Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) chairman. The investigation is being carried out in respect of Grant of New Dealership and allocation of material during the tenure of ex-Chairman Pakistan Steel Moeen Aftab. The spokesmen said that the Grant of Dealership where the Dealers have paid the entire Security deposit through Pay Order and no financial loss has been caused. Similarly the Dealers have made 100% payment and obtained Delivery Orders against their allocations as per the Price list of the Steel Mill and no financial loss have been caused to the Steel Mill. Further the Dealers have informed that during course of recording statement queries are being raised in respect of out of turn allocation of material. For the sake of record the association clarify that out of turn allocation is being done since 1987 by Pakistan Steel to boost the sale of it products and improve its liquidity. The Steel Mill record will confirm that Trophies were given to those Dealers who made heavy purchase in a particular year. In this regard, an FIR No. 1/97 was registered by FIA SBC on 11-01-1997 against Chairman Sajjad Hussain, Director Marketing Col Afzal and other official of Pakistan Steel and few Dealers, where also out of turn allocations were made. Pakistan Steel in several letter had acknowledged that since the sale to the Dealers have been made as per the listed price, Pakistan Steel have suffered no financial loss and requested FIR 1/97 may be withdrawn. An attempt is being made to change the focus from the main issue where Pakistan Steel has suffered colossal loss to the tune of billions of Rupees and shifted to an area where no financial loss have been caused to Pakistan Steel, said the spokesman. The Dealers through out Pakistan have gone on strike and they have pledged that they will not do business with Pakistan Steel until these investigations are stopped completely. This will again adversely effect the friendly business environment and the sale of Pakistan Steel which should not be ignored. The association strongly appeals to the President, Prime Minister, Interior Minister and Federal Minister for Industries to intervene immediately and put an end to this uncalled for investigation and stop harassment of the dealers.