ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Miftah Ismail once again said that government could consider importing food items from India to mitigate fallout of devastating floods. In a tweet he said government has been approached by more than one international agency to allow them to bring food items from India through international border.

He furthered government will make a formal announcement to allow imports or not based on supply shortage position. He said decision would be made after consultation with coalition partners and other key stakeholders. This is second time in a week that Ismail has hinted towards import from India. “We can consider importing vegetables from India. Turkey and Iran could also be other options,” he had said earlier. While saying that importing vegetables through border with India was also under consideration, he stated that opening duty-free imports was a possibility as it would make it easier.

“We normally favour farmers earning money and do not want to open imports but because this is an extraordinary situation, trade with India will be opened if need be,” he said.

Published in The Daily National Courier, September, 01 2022

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