The government has decided to allow import of wheat flour by the private sector to curb the tendency of hoarding the commodity and the CBR would issue an SRO to facilitate the import. Official sources told Business Recorder here on Wednesday that the government had already allowed import of wheat by the private sector, which had so far placed orders for the import of 80,000 tons to stabilise the prices of atta (wheat flour) in the country.
Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance and Economic Affairs Dr Salman Shah held a meeting with the leading importers of essential commodities to review the existing procedure of quarantine certification of live animals, meat and wheat, which is creating problems in the timely import of essential commodities.
Secretary Statistics division, Asad Elahi, Economic Adviser Dr Ashfaq Hasan Khan, senior officials of the ministry of food and agriculture, senior officials of quarantine departments of Punjab and Sindh and representatives of Anjuman-e-Qureshian also attended the meeting.
An official press release stated that, while reviewing the demand and supply situation of essential food items such as wheat, meat, sugar and import of live animals, Dr Salman said that the government was determined to bring down the prices of essential food items and ensure their availability to the people at cheaper rates. To achieve this objective the government will extend all possible help and facilitation to the importers, the adviser added.
The delegation of importers led by Raees Tarmohammad, President of Importers Association of Essential Commodities, pointed out various impediments and delays in quarantine certification of live animals, meat and wheat.
The delegation members said that live animals are kept in quarantine stations on Pakistan side for an inordinately long period for the purpose of their health certification and vaccination. During this period the live animals not only loose weight, but also, in some cases, die due to non-availability of adequate fodder and water.
In case of wheat import, the delegation suggested to the adviser that two officials from the Minfal should go to inspect certification procedure to the country of origin, at the expense of the importers.
The press release said that after due consideration of various suggestions put forward by quarantine officials, the Minfal and the business leaders, it was decided that the period of keeping live animals at the quarantine stations in Pakistan will be minimised. The quarantine certification in respect of live animals by the country of origin will be accepted in Pakistan and the custom authorities will clear the animals expeditiously.
The adviser asked the Animal Husbandry Department to review the list of animal diseases for which the country of origin will issue quarantine certification. He further directed to ensure that the animals do not have any disease, which can be transmitted to human beings. Dr Salman asked the food ministry to explore the possibility of setting up a joint border quarantine station of Pakistan and India at Lahore and review the fee and tax structure on the import of live animals and meat.
The meeting decided that deployment of two technical officials of the Minfal for inspection of wheat certification at the country of origin would be optional. In order to curb the tendency of hoarding wheat flour by flourmills, it was decided that the CBR would issue the necessary SRO, facilitating the import of wheat flour by the private importers.
The press release stated that the importers expressed satisfaction with these measures and promised that they would do their best to bring down the prices of essential commodities and the change would be visible in the coming days.
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