ICCI demands limited imports from India to cope with rising inflation - Press Release issued by Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Islamabad -- September 16, 2022 (PPI-OT)

Following is the text of press release issued by Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI)

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Muhammad Shakeel Munir, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) said that the recent flash floods in the country have created prospects for shortage of many agricultural items including wheat, vegetables and cotton etc. due to which the inflation was on the rise and has called upon the government to allow limited imports of essential items including wheat, vegetables and cotton from India through Wagah border in order to cope with the rising inflation and save the people from more problems. He said that besides causing losses of billions of rupees to the economy, the floods have destroyed crops on millions of acres of land while the stagnant water in Sindh was diminishing the prospects for cultivation of wheat, vegetables and other agricultural products. This situation would create food shortages in the country and bring more miseries to the common man.

Muhammad Shakeel Munir said that Pakistan was short of about 3.0 million tons of wheat this year and Indian wheat suited the taste requirements of our people while its import was also logistically cheaper through Wagah border. He said so was the case with onions, tomatoes, lentils and other essential food items. He said that the revival of cultivation of local agricultural products in flood affected areas would take time and importing such items from India could be the best cost effective option as it would reduce the time and logistics cost of imports. He said this...