Pakistan, US industrialists seal $500m soybean import deal

BUREWALA: In a significant development for Pakistan’s edible oil and feed industries, the All Pakistan Solvent Extractors Association (APSEA) has finalised a $500 million soybean import agreement with the leading US exporters during a trade mission to Washington.

The APSEA delegation, led by Patron-in-Chief Shehzad Ali Khan and President Zain Mehmood, signed the deal earlier this week, securing a steady supply of US soybean for Pakistan’s crushing and feed sectors. Industry officials confirmed that the agreement was designed to replace a large portion of existing Brazilian imports, meaning Pakistan’s overall import bill would remain unaffected while creating a shift in sourcing. Analysts believed the deal would help diversify supply chains, stabilise input costs and reduce trade imbalances with the United States.

“After the landmark agreement, new opportunities for growth will emerge. Soybean imports from the US will not only bring stability to the economy but also deliver direct benefits to businesses linked with the crushing, feed, and edible oil sectors,” said Patron-in-Chief Shehzad Ali Khan. He described the trade mission as highly successful, noting that its economic impact would unfold in the months ahead. The $500 million deal marked a milestone in Pakistan-US agri-trade relations, with expectations that further collaboration in agricultural commodities could follow.

EIGHT ARRESTED FOR GAMBLING: On the directives of Vehari District Police Officer (DPO) Muhammad Afzal, Burewala City police carried out a raid under the Gambling Act and arrested eight suspects involved in betting through the game of Ludo Dana.

According to the police, cash worth thousands of rupees, a motorcycle, a rickshaw, and six mobile phones were seized during the raid. The arrested suspects were identified as Khalid, Manzoor, Nadeem, Zain, Liaqat, Asghar Ali, Asghar and Haider. A case has been registered against the accused and further legal proceedings have been initiated.

DPO Muhammad Afzal, while lauding the police action, said that gambling was a social evil and those involved in such nefarious activities deserved no leniency. He further reiterated that operations against the anti-social elements would continue without any discrimination.