August 29, 2008	Friday	Sha'aban 26, 1429

ISLAMABAD, Aug 28: The Senate Standing Committee on Food, Agriculture and Livestock has expressed displeasure over the government’s failure to control smuggling of wheat and fertilisers from Balochistan to neighbouring countries.

Members of the committee said smuggling was flourishing under the nose of FC personnel and other law-enforcement agencies.

The committee called for dismantling of all FC checkposts in Sheela Bagh area of the province—a suggestion already made by the parliamentary committee on Balochistan.

The committee discussed the issue of non-supply of grain, wheat and atta to Killa Abdullah district.

It said the shortage of foodgrains, particularly in underdeveloped areas like Balochistan, was partly because of shortfall in wheat production and partly because of smuggling and hoarding not only by traders but also by law enforcement agencies.

The senators also accused the provincial food departments of cashing in on the crisis.

The committee recommended that inter-provincial ban on the movement of wheat and atta be lifted.

It suggested that a marketing mechanism should be introduced for wheat and fertilisers to control their smuggling to other countries.

The committee directed the ministry to keep wheat quota for Killa Abdullah at the same level as had been released in the past.

The ministry of food secretary informed the committee about steps taken to control the shortage of wheat and fertilisers in the country.

He said it had been estimated that the total deficiency of wheat during the current financial year would be around 2.5 million tons.

He said that Balochistan had been allocated 125,000 tons of wheat for 2008-09 and that 4,000 tons of imported wheat had been dispatched to Balochistan by the TCP.

Agriculture Minister Nazar Mohammad Gondal said that wheat support price would be announced well before the onset of the sowing season.

The meeting, chaired by Amjad Abbas, was attended by Senators Mir Wali Mohammad Badini, Agha Pari Gul, Abbas Komaili, Mir Mohabat Khan Marri, Raza Mohammad Raza, Sahibzada Khalid Jan, Ratna, Dr Abdul Malik.