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Sindh
opens ways for Punjab wheat
By: Ramzan Chandio
KARACHI - The Sindh government
has finally lifted ban on the arrival of wheat from Punjab and also
abolished the “private force” which was formed in the name of
vigilance team by the provincial Food Minister, officials told The
Nation on Saturday.
The Food Secretary of Sindh Kamran Naveed Baloch took the initiative
of allowing free movement of the commodity from Punjab to Sindh and
Balochistan.
After acceptance of their demands, the flour mills body has called
off strike which supposed to be started from Saturday to Monday
(23rd to 25th May). But, according to PFMA, they are observing
strike on Saturday against ban on the export of wheat imposed by
Economic Coordination Committee of Federal government last week.
The Pakistan Flour Mills Association (PFMA) had earlier announced to
close flour mills all over the country against inter-provincial ban
on free movement of the commodity imposed by Sindh Food Department.
They also claimed that the vigilance team of Sindh Food Department
known as “Magsi Force” was forcing them to pay bribe for entering
Sindh with wheat-laden vehicles.
After ultimatum issued by flour mills body, a process of dialogue
had started between officials of Sindh Food Department and
provincial office-bearers of PFMA Sindh circle.
Sources said that initially authorities were not ready to abolish
the vigilance team, because this was formed by influential Minister
for Food Department Mir Nadir Magsi.
The Nation:
May 24, 2009 |
