I REFER to the letter by Asad Raza (April 27) in which he has made many wrong statements. I legitimately represent International Multimodal Transport Association (IMMTA) from the following two positions: IMMTA Honorary Secretary, Geneva, Switzerland, and IMMTA Country Representative for Pakistan.

Let me inform Mr Raza that IMMTA is no small forum: it is a reputable international transport organisation which has been advising several countries around the world on matters concerning multimodal transport.

Mr Raza refers to three conferences organised by IMMTA on the Rotterdam Rules in Pakistan. He quotes supposed events at the Islamabad conference. It should be noted that Mr Raza did not attend any of the IMMTA conferences and, therefore, his information of what transpired is secondhand and unreliable.

Mr Raza’s opinions represent the position taken by one stakeholder, Association of International Freight Forwarders (FIATA), whose liabilities will be increased with the introduction of Rotterdam Rules and hence their opposition to this legislation.

The IMMTA conferences were an outstanding effort to clarify the stipulations of the Rotterdam Rules. They were greatly appreciated by all participants of the conferences except representatives of one organisation who demonstrated immature behaviour by walking out of the Islamabad conference at the time when conference recommendations were first tabled for discussion.

IMMTA has not taken any ultimate position on Rotterdam Rules, this is still under discussion. There are many varying opinions. The IMMTA Executive Committee gives the right of expression, and each member may express views which may differ from those of other members of the executive committee. I would like to point out that the comments that appeared in IMMTA E - Newsletter of October 2009 were the personal views of the president of IMMTA and do not represent IMMTA.

Similarly, during the course of the three conferences held in Pakistan, I clarified that my stated views on Rotterdam Rules were strictly my own opinions and not those of IMMTA.

Rotterdam Rules favoured all developing countries such as Pakistan because they safeguard the interest of cargo owners. It is not the vested interest of one particular group, there are a number of international organisations which have supported the Rotterdam Rules, such as European Parliament, World Shipping Council, European Shipowners’ Association, International Chamber of Shipping, andBaltic and International Maritime Council.

CAPT RAFFAT ZAHEER IMMTA Country Representative for Pakistan IMMTA Honorary Secretary Geneva, Switzerland     Karachi