FPCCI lodges complaint with ministry

Seeks removal of incumbent in-charge at DPP Peshawar office

ISLAMABAD: The Federation of Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) has complained to the Ministry of National Food Security and Research, saying the Department of Plant Protection (DPP) Peshawar office was not cooperating with exporters of horticulture products.

“The DPP Peshawar in-charge did not cooperate with exporters for the timely completion of horticulture products, which created numerous problems for businessmen in dispatching perishable products to their destination on time,” said FPCCI Vice President Mohammad Riaz Khattak, in a letter addressed to the ministry’s federal secretary.

He said Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) was the hub of fresh vegetables and fruits. On a daily basis, around 30 tons of vegetables are exported to different parts of the world from Peshawar. “But the DPP is not cooperating with the fruits and vegetables exporters.”

The FPCCI officials have also sought removal of the incumbent in-charge official to enable the system to function smoothly.

“The FPCCI desires the ministry to direct the DPP DG to appoint a dedicated in-charge at its Peshawar office along with hiring more staff so that the horticulture exporters may be facilitated,” urged the FPCCI Vice President in the letter.

“The secretary has received the complaint and has assigned the concerned department to address the issue,” said an official at the Ministry of National Food Security and Research.

“The high-ups in the ministry are concerned about the DPP’s performance as they are receiving complaints on a daily basis and facing several court cases due to its irregularities and poor performance,” he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 9^th, 2016.

Like Business on Facebook, follow @TribuneBiz on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.