KARACHI: Ismail Suttar Chairman Salt Manufacturers Association of Pakistan (SMAP) reaches out to Minister Ishaque Dar for immediate attention to Salt Iodisation Programme. Salt industry in Pakistan has grown massively in recent years with combined efforts of government, NGO’s and industrial stakeholders.

In statement, he said that tripartite has been seemingly successful in raising awareness of Iodised Salt programmes and has received global laurels for its efforts that were failed twice previously in 1980’s and then in 2010.

“Pakistan’s salt Iodisation programme has been recognised as one of success stories for achieving almost 80 percent iodisation from 7 percent in shortest span of time.”

With great fear, he expressed his concern over pressing matter that salt industry is running out of its key ingredient to process iodized salt and that stock can last week or two at maximum while freshly imported cargo of potassium iodate is being held at Karachi Port for past 15 days incurring heavy demurrage on daily basis.

Ismail emphasised on fact that level of household consumption of Iodised salt in Pakistan is over 70 percent and if country will go dry on iodised salt, masses will be deprived of basic nutrient that will lead to more difficult challenges in years to come in terms of deteriorated civilians’ health.

Published in The Daily National Courier, January, 17 2023

Like Business on Facebook, follow @DailyNCourier on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.