December 06, 2006	Wednesday	Ziqa'ad 14, 1427

ISLAMABAD, Dec 5: Kuwait has decided to lift ban on import of fish from Pakistan, an official told Dawn on Tuesday. Kuwait had slapped an indefinite ban on all fish imports from Pakistan and Iran in September last on health grounds.

The ban was linked to a suspicion that some fish imports could contain bacteria, causing cholera.

When contacted Secretary of Food, Agriculture and Livestock, Mr M Ismail Qureshi, confirmed that the ban had been lifted on the basis of results generated by the Kuwait Institute of Scientific Research on fish samples collected from Pakistan.

Mr Qureshi said the institute report declared Pakistani fish free from any microbes and termed it fit for human consumption.

To a question, he said Pakistan’s ambassador to Kuwait had played a positive role in resolving the matter.

The secretary said the Kuwaiti commerce minister has directed the relevant authorities for lifting of ban on import of fish from Pakistan.

He agreed with a questioner that Pakistan had no tangible export of fish to Kuwait. However, he said it would give a clear message to other markets that Pakistani fish is free from any microbes.