Exporters enlighten NA panel on issues, policy chaos

ISLAMABAD: National Assembly’s trade committee faced a barrage of complaints Friday from exporters of rice, fruit, gold and juice, who warned that policy flip-flops and regulatory bottlenecks are choking the country’s fragile export growth.

“Rice exporters have written to the Prime Minister,” MNA Sharmila Faruqi told the panel, citing repeated cargo delays and damage from excessive inspections.

“They’re opening containers and tampering with the packaging. We need a competent Director General at the Department of Plant Protection (DPP),” she demanded.

Chairing the session, MNA Jawed Hanif Khan echoed concerns over rice export disruptions and directed the DPP to improve container inspection procedures to prevent further losses. DPP DG Tahir Abbas informed lawmakers that the agency had banned harmful pesticides — some imported from India since 2022 — but Faruqi urged a complete halt to such imports, blaming them for damaging Pakistan’s export credibility.

The committee also expressed alarm over the sudden ban on gold and jewelry exports and imports, imposed by the federal government on May 5 following concerns raised by the State Bank of Pakistan. Commerce Secretary Javed Paul said a special committee is now reviewing the issue and suggested digitising the trade under a single-window system. However, he noted that final decisions will be taken by the federal cabinet.

Juice manufacturers told the committee that their exports to 26 countries could double from the current $15 million if given tax rebates. “The rebate must come through the FBR under the Export Facilitation Scheme,” the Commerce Secretary explained, while TDAP CEO Faizullah mentioned a Haroon Akhtar-led committee has proposed a 5 percent rebate for high-performing exporters. Kinnow and mango exporters also voiced frustration with the DPP. “Complaints keep piling up because you’re not engaging with the exporters,” Chairman Hanif warned the DPP DG, instructing him to meet stakeholders directly.