Agri-Forum Pakistan has warned the government to protest if it tried to declare India as Most Favoured Nation (MFN) with out providing same incentives to the Pakistani growers, which are being provided to Indian farmers by their government.
This warning was issued at the executive committee meeting of the Forum held here on Friday. Forum Chairman Muhammad Ibrahim Mughal presided over the meeting, which was participated by Tariq Ali Shah, Dr Muhammad Ahmad, Ch. Waqas Ilyas, Mian Muhammad Ashraf and others.
Speaking on this occasion Mughal claimed that Pakistan could get a benefit of Rs 467 billion per annum by importing fertilisers, diesel and electricity from India. 'Urea in India is available in Pak rupees 513 per bag, while in Pakistan it is being sold at Rs 2100 per bag, diesel in India is available at Pak Rs 74 per liter, while its price in Pakistan is Rs 94 per liter. Similarly India is providing electricity for agriculture sector at Re 1 per unit, while the same is available to Pakistani growers at Rs 6.64 per unit,' Mughal added.
He said that the lobby, which is insisting on declaring India, as MFN country should import 140 million bags of Urea, 40 million DAP bags, diesel and electricity from that country. Import of these things would provide cheaper inputs to the growers and cheaper products to the consumers. He said then growers would be able to compete Indian counterparts.
Agri Forum Chairman also suggested that Pakistan should not import agricultural inputs or unnecessary items from India. He said that India was extending Rs 855 billion subsidy in agriculture and Rs 340 billion in food sectors per annum. He said Pakistani growers and industrial sector should get same incentives before declaring India as Most Favoured Nation (MFN).
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