The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) has called for allowing export of vegetables to Afghanistan to mitigate the hardships of the nation’s growers, agents and exporters. These sales would also bring in a welcome amount of foreign exchange.

The demand was made during a meeting of the All Pakistan Agriculture Producers & Traders Federation (APAPTF) held here on Monday at the FPCCI KP office with Coordinator Sartaj Ahmad Khan in the chair.

Besides the president of the APAPTF, the meeting was also attended by Malik Sohni, general-secretary of the Vegetable Agents Association, Haji Mohammad Shafi, Roohullah, Haji Zahir Mohammad, Sajid Khan, Haji Abdul Haq and Faizullah.

The participants of the meeting said that since March 15 the Torkham border had been closed for the export of vegetables. However, now the government has allowed the export of kinnow three days a week, but the export of vegetables is still banned. Vegetables, particularly tomatoes and potatoes, worth millions of rupees have perished. They warned that if the ban remained in force, they would have no option but to close the bidding of vegetables.

Speaking on the occasion, the FPCCI Coordinator for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sartaj Ahmad Khan, said he would discuss the matter with the federal and provincial governments. He assured the office-bearers of the Pakistan Agriculture Producers and Traders federation that export of vegetables would be allowed shortly. According to brecorder.com, he added that 50 trucks of kinnow from Punjab had been allowed three days a week and urged the government to allow the export of vegetables also.
Source: freshplaza.com – 21^st April 2020

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