The Senate Standing Committee on Commerce convened on Monday and expressedsignificant apprehension regarding the issue of illegal fish trade inPakistan. This concern was underscored by the staggering estimated value ofsmuggling, which is believed to range between $2-3 billion.
The meeting, presided over by Senator Zeeshan Khanzada, was convened todeliberate on pressing matters within the realm of trade and commerce.During the proceedings, the committee delved into various facets of thefish trade and the Afghan Transit Trade, encompassing topics such asembargoes on goods, processing fees, and bank guarantees.
Another focal point of discussion was the recent decision by the UnitedArab Emirates (UAE) to restrict meat imports from Pakistan. The committeedirected the relevant authorities to prioritize an investigation into thismatter.
The Commerce Secretary provided valuable insights into recent developmentsrelated to Afghan transit trade. He confirmed the full functionality of theAfghan transit trade facility and pointed out that prohibited goodsdestined for Afghanistan are not in high demand. Additionally, hehighlighted the issuance of four Statutory Regulatory Orders (SROs) andother measures implemented by the Federal Board of Revenue.
The government has taken a multi-pronged approach to address theseconcerns, as revealed by the secretary. Firstly, they have initiated anenforcement strategy aimed at combating nationwide smuggling, particularlyalong the borders. Secondly, they have introduced policy-level measures,such as processing fees and a 110 percent bank guarantee on Pakistani goodsdestined for Afghan markets. Importantly, the processing fee forAfghanistan pertains exclusively to essential items.
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Furthermore, it was emphasized that all measures related to Afghan TransitTrade were implemented through bilateral discussions, ensuring cooperationwith Afghanistan. The Secretary of Commerce also presented statisticsregarding commodities traded with Afghanistan.
In a separate segment of the meeting, Senator Danesh Kumar engaged in apassionate exchange with Commerce Secretary Saleh Farooqui, expressingconcerns about the country’s reputation. He stressed the importance ofresponsible actions, particularly within the field. Senator Kumar raiseddoubts about meat consignments being resold locally after being returnedfrom the UAE, prompting the committee to call for an investigation intomeat exports to the UAE. The Ministry of Commerce was tasked withsubmitting an inquiry report on this matter.