Islamabad, March 08, 2023 (PPI-OT): The Senate Committee deliberated on export policy of milk and other edible food items. Muhammad Sualeh Ahmed Faruque, Secretary for Ministry of Commerce, apprised the Committee that Pakistan is the 4th largest milk producing country in the world and as per Economic survey 2021-22, Pakistan produces 65,745 Million Tonnes Milk and its consumption stands at 52,996 Million Tonnes.
However, the export of milk has been drastically decreased in the last two years, he added. Senator Zeeshan Khanzada remarked that prices of milk is increasing rapidly and yet government is allowing its export. Secretary for Ministry of Commerce stated that Government cannot put cap on export of milk due to price fluctuation.
Moreover, the Senate body was briefed on the strategy devised by government for development of meat sector. Deputy Chairman Senate Mirza Muhammad Afridi opined that every day around 1lac 50 thousand cows and lambs are slaughtered in the country and government should initiate import of meat from Afghanistan in order to minimize meat price and fulfill the export demand of the country.
Muhammad Sualeh Ahmed Faruque replied the government is hesitant in import because of imminent threat of cow viral disease in Afghanistan. Furthermore, Senator Saleem Mandviwalla stated that Pakistan petroleum imports stands at 12 Billion Rupees and around 4 Billion Rupees worth petroleum products have been utilised in bicycles. He added that, in current economic scenario there is a dire need to devise energy efficient policy in order to reduce the country import bill.
Chairman Committee proposed that a special committee comprising of members of Senate Standing Committee on Industries and Production, Finance and Revenue and Commerce should be constituted to take up the matter. The meeting was attended by Deputy Chairman Senate Mirza Muhammad Afridi, Senator Fida Muhammad, Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, Senator Danesh Kumar, Senator Mohammad Abdul Qadir, Secretary for Ministry of Commerce Muhammad Sualeh Ahmed Faruque and other senior officers of relevant departments were also in attendance.
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