July 22, 2011

Pakistan provincial government bans poultry products export to Afghanistan

Pakistan's Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) provincial government has banned the export of eggs and other poultry items to Afghanistan in the wake of increasing complaints regarding price hikes.

"We have decided to ban the supply of poultry items to Afghanistan, and I have directed the concerned authorities to ensure the implementation of these orders. Those who will not follow the decision would have to pay the consequences," said Peshawar District Coordination Officer (DCO) Siraj Ahmed Khan.

The decision was taken by the district administration at a meeting held at the District Coordination Office to keep prices under control during the month of Ramadan.

The district administration was acting upon several complaints received from locals concerning the rising prices of chicken and eggs. The DCO said strict measures would be taken against those who would violate the decision.

He added that thousands of eggs and hens were being supplied to Afghanistan, increasing the prices of poultry items in K-P. He said food department staff had been deployed on different routes to monitor attempts to smuggle these items.

"We have imposed Section 144 till the end of Ramadan, and I have requested the provincial government to impose a ban of cattle export to Afghanistan as well," Khan said.

Section 144 of the Pakistani Code of Criminal Procedure prohibits the public assembly of four or more people.

Last year, K-P Minister for Livestock Haji Hidayatullah had also demanded a new export policy for Afghanistan. He had said even though the government had put a restriction on the number of animals to be exported, the poultry farmers were not following the orders.