All Measures Will Be Taken Against Infiltration of Commodity Based Disease Into Pakistan: Quarantine Department

All Measures Will Be Taken Against Infiltration of Commodity Based Disease Into Pakistan: Quarantine Department

KARACHI – Dr. Falak Naz, the Director General (Quarantine) of the Department of Plant Protection (DPP), pledged to take all necessary measures to protect Pakistan from the infiltration of diseases through imported commodities.

Dr. Falak Naz emphasized the importance of maintaining the quality of imports and exports at all costs during a meeting held at the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI).

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Falak Naz stated, “DPP has to ensure quality imports and quality exports at any cost. Therefore, the department has to adopt stringent measures to save the country from infiltration of any disease through the imported commodities.” He further stressed the need to address various issues related to extensive testing and delays in the issuance of import permits and certifications.

In response to these challenges, Dr. Falak Naz assured that DPP would take steps to simplify the overall process, alleviating the burdens faced by both importers and exporters. He expressed the department’s commitment to maintaining open channels of communication with KCCI to resolve issues faced by traders and create an enabling environment for all stakeholders.

To facilitate the resolution of problems experienced by importers and exporters, Dr. Falak Naz agreed to establish a joint committee in collaboration with the Karachi Chamber. This committee will address numerous issues, such as consignments being held at ports for extended periods, resulting in significant losses due to demurrages and detention.

Dr. Falak Naz recommended that KCCI finalize nominations for the joint committee, which will comprise relevant stakeholders. The formation of this committee, along with nominations from DPP, will be decided during the department’s next internal meeting.

In his address at the meeting, Dr. Muhammad Tariq Khan, Director Technical DPP, highlighted that many of the challenges raised by the business community were a result of a communication gap and a lack of information. To bridge this gap, DPP has developed a dynamic website that will provide detailed information and offer online facilities for stakeholders, streamlining the application process. The website, funded by DPP, is set to be launched in the coming days.

Dr. Muhammad Tariq Khan emphasized that the issues raised by the business community represent only 10 percent of the department’s overall operations, with the majority of activities running smoothly.

In his welcome address, President of KCCI, Junaid Esmail Makda, voiced concerns raised by importers regarding the complexity of procedures and delays in obtaining necessary requirements and testing. He acknowledged that importers often face unofficial payments and lengthy wait times for certificates.

To obtain certificates, importers are required to navigate a manual process that involves document submission and bank challan collection, which can take up to 16 days or more to complete, provided no deficiencies exist. The involvement of multiple departments in the approval process can lead to harassment, corruption, and bribery, creating a challenging environment for importers.

Junaid Makda requested the Director General Quarantine to simplify procedures and establish a liaison between KCCI and DPP to address traders’ grievances. He proposed the formation of a joint committee between KCCI and DPP to work together in resolving these issues and promoting a more efficient and transparent import process.

The meeting was attended by senior officials from KCCI, including Senior Vice President Khurram Shahzad, Vice President Asif Sheikh Javaid, Chairman of the Customs & Valuation Subcommittee Waseem-ur-Rehman, former President Haroon Agar, former Senior Vice President Abdul Basit Abdul Razzak, former Vice President Agha Shahab Ahmed Khan, and various other stakeholders.

The collaborative efforts of DPP and the Karachi business community aim to streamline import procedures, reduce delays, and enhance the overall efficiency of Pakistan’s trade activities, benefitting both importers and exporters.