The Senate Standing Committee on Commerce convened on Monday and expressed significant apprehension regarding the issue of illegal fish trade in Pakistan. This concern was underscored by the staggering estimated value of smuggling, which is believed to range between $2-3 billion.
The meeting, presided over by Senator Zeeshan Khanzada, was convened to deliberate on pressing matters within the realm of trade and commerce. During the proceedings, the committee delved into various facets of the fish trade and the Afghan Transit Trade, encompassing topics such as embargoes on goods, processing fees, and bank guarantees.
Another focal point of discussion was the recent decision by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to restrict meat imports from Pakistan. The committee directed the relevant authorities to prioritize an investigation into this matter.
The Commerce Secretary provided valuable insights into recent developments related to Afghan transit trade. He confirmed the full functionality of the Afghan transit trade facility and pointed out that prohibited goods destined for Afghanistan are not in high demand. Additionally, he highlighted the issuance of four Statutory Regulatory Orders (SROs) and other measures implemented by the Federal Board of Revenue.
The government has taken a multi-pronged approach to address these concerns, as revealed by the secretary. Firstly, they have initiated an enforcement strategy aimed at combating nationwide smuggling, particularly along the borders. Secondly, they have introduced policy-level measures, such as processing fees and a 110 percent bank guarantee on Pakistani goods destined for Afghan markets. Importantly, the processing fee for Afghanistan pertains exclusively to essential items.
Furthermore, it was emphasized that all measures related to Afghan Transit Trade were implemented through bilateral discussions, ensuring cooperation with Afghanistan. The Secretary of Commerce also presented statistics regarding commodities traded with Afghanistan.
In a separate segment of the meeting, Senator Danesh Kumar engaged in a passionate exchange with Commerce Secretary Saleh Farooqui, expressing concerns about the country's reputation. He stressed the importance of responsible actions, particularly within the field. Senator Kumar raised doubts about meat consignments being resold locally after being returned from the UAE, prompting the committee to call for an investigation into meat exports to the UAE. The Ministry of Commerce was tasked with submitting an inquiry report on this matter.