Onion export to Afghanistan banned

CHAMAN: The government has banned the export of onions to Afghanistan via Chaman border, informed Customs officials on Wednesday.

They said that following the directives issued by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), the ban has been placed on the export of onion to Afghanistan, adding that Customs officials have stepped up vigilance at border towns to control the smuggling of the commodity.

Officials revealed that soon after the move, prices of the commodity dropped by 50 per cent in Chaman. Onions, which were sold at Rs40 per kg, were now being sold for Rs20 per kg, with availability of large quantities in local markets.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 17^th, 2011.