Kissan Board Pakistan (KBP), while expressing concern over import of sub-standard agriculture commodities from India has announced to hold a demonstration at Wagha border. Ibrahim Mughal, Secretary-General KBP told Business Recorder here on Saturday that the Board fully opposed the import of agri commodities.
He was of the view that wrong policies of the government have made the country 'international beggar', which is a matter of national shame. "On one side 35-40 percent perishable agri-produces are being wasted in Pakistan, while on the other hand, the government is wasting precious foreign exchange on import of agriculture commodities", he opined.
He said that KBP is going to convene a high-level meeting for finalising protest schedule against this move of the government.
To a question, he said that KBP is also considering holding protest at Wagha, when Indian sugar would reach there.
He said that past record of India with regard to import of agriculture products is not satisfactory. In Zia regime, wheat was imported from India, but it was sent back due to its poor quality. In Nawaz Sharif's regime, poor quality raw sugar was imported, which created severe problems for sugar importers. He claimed that recently imported Indian vegetables' especially potato, contained virus. He said that Indian garlic also failed to attract Pakistani customers due to its poor quality.
He alleged that 'Import Mafia' is influencing policies of Pakistani government to fulfil their vested interests. Responding to a question, he said that import of sugar from India is not solution of present sugar crisis being faced by the country. He said that efforts must be made to start crushing season well in time ie first weak of October or last weak of September.
To a query, he held the government responsible for present sugar crisis in the country. He said that import of agri commodities from India indicate major shift in government policies. Trade with India must be started after resolution of occupied Kashmir issue, as was advocated by the government in the past, he added.
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