The government's ban on the import of betel nuts has paved the way for its smuggling into the country under the Afghan Transit. In a statement, Pakistan Kiryana Merchants' Association (PKMA) chairman Waseemur Rehman said that plant protection department had imposed a complete ban on the import of betel nuts and its other by-products; however, the same are now being imported in the country under the garb of Afghan Transit.
He lamented that 225 containers of betel nuts worth around Rs 1 billion are stuck at the port, waiting for clearance as the government has stopped issuing permits to the importers. He said the importers have to pay huge amount of money under the head of detention and demurrage to the port authorities.
The prices of betel nuts have soared to Rs 2000 per kg from Rs 250 in the local market, whereas the government's 'arbitrary' decision of banning the product has so far caused losses amounting millions of rupee to the importers and to the national exchequer.
PKMA chairman urged Prime Minister, Chief of the Army Staff, Chief Justice of Pakistan and adviser to the PM on Finance, to take notice of the issue to play their in ensuring that plant protection department issue permits to the importers with immediate effect. He also urged the custom authorities to stop smuggling of betel nuts.
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