Export of Pakistani mango to Iran setback.

Byline: Khalil Ahmed

Referring to Pak-Iran border (Taftan) through which Pakistan exports mango to Iran, it was highlighted by the Patron-in- Chief, Waheed Ahmed that opening of the border on alternate days for a limited time period and reduced number of trucks plying from Iran to Pakistan is posing serious problems to ensure smooth export of Pakistani mango to Iran and thus the Ministry of Interior has been approached with a request to have a word with the Iranian government for keeping the Taftan border open for seven days a week with extended timings for movements of trade goods and the quantum of trucks coming from Iran to Pakistan may also be enhanced.

Currently the Pak-Iran border (Taftan) opens for three days per week on alternate days for limited timings and 75 trucks coming from Iran to Pakistan are used for export of mangoes to Iran. These Iranian trucks are unsuitable as well inadequate for carrying mangoes from Pakistan to Iran since the trucks while coming from Iran carry LPG, cement and other products - Waheed Ahmed disclosed. Elaborating further, Waheed expressed concern that due to less number of trucks and unsuitability to carry back mangoes from Pakistan to Iran, Pakistan is unable to export anticipated volume of mango while exporters are sustaining huge financial losses due to the limitation of short duration of border opening and reduced number of trucks coming from Iran.

According to Waheed Ahmed, these limitations have resulted in long queues of mango trucks with open top are piling up near the border and mango being sensitive to time and temperature due to its highly perishable nature the chance of mangoes getting spoiled cannot be ruled out. As of now around 60 trucks of mangoes are awaiting at the border and with each passing day, this number is being multiplied. These trucks are...