Ban on frozen livestock exports to Afghanistan: MoC says to become party against PHC decision

ISLAMABAD: The Commerce Ministry Thursday announced it would become a party against Peshawar High Court (PHC) decision to ban exports of frozen livestock to Afghanistan through Torkham crossing as imposition of ban by the court is unconstitutional.

The Commerce Ministry took this stance at a meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Commerce presided over by Syed Naveed Qamar.

The issue of ban on export of livestock was raised by Yaqoob Sheikh, one of the top exporters to Afghanistan. He said recently export of frozen chicken to Afghanistan began and many consignments are stuck at the entry point after ban on export of livestock.

The officials of Commerce Ministry apprised the Committee that PHC has imposed a ban on export of livestock to Afghanistan through Torkham, adding that exports through Chaman continue.

Afghan situation adds new facet to bilateral trade

Secretary Commerce, Sualeh Ahmed Faruqui said that Commerce Ministry has decided to become party against Peshawar High Court decision to ban export of livestock. He said, intra-court appeal will also be filed very soon; and further contended that no exporter will book orders if a ban is slapped on exports adding that Pakistan will be deprived of chicken and livestock market if situation remains unchanged. He, however, argued that increase in price of chicken cannot be linked to the ban on export through Torkham.

Another official of Commerce Ministry said that the Ministry will request the court to allow export of livestock. He said, Attorney General has also been requested to help in the regard.

The official maintained that KP government has praised the Chief Justice of PHC for imposing ban on export of frozen livestock whereas exporters have challenged the decision.

National Assembly Standing Committee on Commerce also shelved endorsement of a Bill titled "Trade Organisations (amendment) Act, 2021" meant to enhance the term of office bearers of Trade Organisations after a clear divide amongst the committee members representing different political parties. The Committee deliberated on the private member bill for an hour moved by MNA Ms. Sajida Begum

The Commerce Ministry, its attached organisation DGTO and most of the Committee members opposed the Bill in its present form.

Ms Sajid Begum, the mover of the bill, maintained that she presented a bipartisan bill and its purpose is to give adequate time to the office bearers of FPCCI to familiarize themselves with the functions of such organisations, adding that with amendments in the Act, it will be possible for the office bearers to implement the policies and bring harmony and symmetry in their working.

The committee members, Yaqoob sheikh, Ahmed Khan Deharr and Ms Wajiha Qamar, supported the amendments proposed in the Trade Organisations Act. However, Ms Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Tahira Aurangzeb, Mrs Farrukh Khan, Usman Ibrahim and Ms Shaista Pervaiz Malik opposed the Bill, saying that key businessmen who take an interest in politics are aware of the problems of the business community and they start to work from day one to resolve their issues. Genuine businessmen, they stated, do not have time to serve for two years because their business suffers. Shaza Fatima Khawaja said that she has consulted Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) on this issue, which according to her, has opposed it.

The opponents of the Bill further noted that with the approval of Bill, the term of Balochistan, KP and Federal Capital/ BG/ AJK terms will come after 14 years and added that they have consulted Chambers in their constituencies and they are all opposed to the amendments. Khurram Shahzad, who is the cousin of incumbent chairman of FPCCI Main Naseer Hyatt Maggo, informed the committee that the latter has also opposed enhancement in term of officer bearers of Trade Bodies.

Secretary Commerce Sualeh Ahmed Faruqui and Director General Trade Organisations (DGTO) argued that Commerce Ministry is already working on amendments in Trade Organisations Act, in the light of Mustafa Impex case, but did not support amendment as a separate Bill.

Cabinet to discuss Afghanistan, economic issues today

Secretary Commerce informed that the proposed Amendments in the Act, including an increase in the tenure of Chambers and other organizations, is under the consultative stage with the Ministry of Law and Justice.

Chairman Standing Committee and Members revealed that they received telephones from several businessmen in support and against the proposed amendment. After a detailed discussion, the Committee decided to invite the relevant stakeholders, especially the current President FPCCI and former President FPCCI, in the next meeting.

The Committee discussed the ban on the export of livestock especially the ban on poultry and its product. The Committee was informed that as per directives of the Committee, the Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of National Food Security & Research are holding sessions with all the stakeholders to resolve the issue. However, the matter of ban on poultry and its product is in the court of law. Syed Naveed Qamar, observed that this kind of action has resulted in failure to meet export orders by the exporters and It has caused huge losses to exporters in particular and the industry as a whole.

He maintained also observed that this action will provide the chance to other countries to fill the gap. The committee directed the Ministry of Commerce to peruse the case as a top priority.

The Committee also considered the Pension and gratuity for the employees of Pakistan Cotton Standard Institute (PCSI) and directed the Ministry to resolve the issue as soon as possible.

The Committee unanimously approved the minutes of its previous meeting. The meeting was attended by Muhammad Yaqoob Shaikh, Khurram Shehzad, Ms Wajiha Qamar, Ms. Sajida Begum, Mrs. Farrukh Khan, Usman Ibrahim, Rana Iradat Sharif Khan, Rasheed Ahmed Khan, Mrs. Tahira Aurangzeb, Ms. Shaista Pervaiz, Ms. Shaza Fatima Khawaja, and Syed Javed Ali Shah Jeelani, MNAS. The meeting was also attended by the Secretary Ministry of Commerce with senior officers from the Ministry.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2021