Embargo: Private sector raises eyebrows

The private sector has expressed disappointment over an embargo on the export of onions.

LAHORE: The private sector has expressed disappointment over the government’s decision to put an embargo on the export of onions to India from Pakistan through land route, while directing the business to be operated through seaports.

“Such decisions hamper the trade and cause wastage of perishable goods, which is neither in the interest of the government nor traders and consumers,” said former president of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry and Vice President of SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Pakistan) Iftikhar Ali Malik.

Malik called upon custom authorities to immediately release contracted consignments held at Wagah border and said the government should take up such issues wisely, which have multi-dimensional impact and particularly affect the consumers.

“The issuance of such notifications is not a good practice and is not in the interest of bilateral trade, which despite having enormous potential, is moving at a snail’s pace,” said Malik. He said that if such attitude remains from both sides, it will further bring trade volume down.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 9^th, 2011.