NA body annoyed over irregularities in Urea import

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NA body annoyed over irregularities in Urea import

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The NA Standing Committee on Commerce has expressed annoyance over irregularities in Urea import.

04 October,2012 08:50 pm

It also has recommended Secretary Industries, officials of National Fertilizer Marketing Limited (NFML) and FIA to apprise the committee over it.National Assembly’s legislative body on Commerce met here on Thursday with Khurram Dastagir in the chair for briefing on fertilizer import for 2012-13 Rabi crops.During the meeting legislators said that Trading Corporation of Pakistan should have to import urea according to requirements in the country; however ministry of Industries high jacked the power of TCP and minister itself is taking decisions and involved in misappropriations in this regard.Standing committee showed its strong concerns over it and said that urea bags are imported and sent to some undisclosed place where their weight has been reduced and numbers of bags are displaced.Shireen Arshad khan said that minister for industries is involved in irregularities of urea import.Standing committee recommended to have a separate meeting on this issue and asked key stake holders to brief the committee regarding this issue.Legislative body also annoyed delay in announcement of strategic Trade policy Frame work (STPF) 2012-15 and directed secretary commerce to expedite work on it and give report.Committee said that All Pakistan Textile Mills Association APTMA has become so powerful and influential than farmers therefore farmers are suffering as they cannot get due outcome of their cotton crop.Every year cotton production is decreasing which is a matter of grave concern, committee observed.Committee said that when APTMA would get hold of cotton production industry then how it is possible that it would favor the interests of farmers?During the meeting, Additional secretary Fazal Abbas Maken apprised the committee that this year Rs 75 billion were provided for next three year however appropriate amount not provided to us. He said that Rs 24 billion given to textile sector while three billion were given to commerce which is a very meager amount to run the business.