KARACHI: The Sindh High Court directed the federal government law officer to file a written reply on behalf of the federation in a constitutional petition against the government decision of banning wooden boxes for the export of mangoes.

A two-judge bench headed by Justice Sajjad Ali Shah was hearing the petition of a mango exporter who asked the court to direct the government to withdraw its notification regarding the boxes for the export of fruit.

On Monday, Additional Attorney General for Pakistan Salman Talibuddin appeared in court and submitted that the decision to ban the use of wooden boxes for the export of mangoes was taken by the government to avoid any damage to the commodity.

Instead, he said that the government through a notification on March 19 directed the exporters to use cardboard boxes for export of mangoes to avoid any restrictions from the importing countries.

The federal government law officer said that there was an apprehension that the United Arab Emirates might impose restriction on the import of mangoes from Pakistan if the commodity was not packed in cardboard boxes. He said that the All Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters, Importers and Merchant Association had already endorsed the government’s decision and their members were making preparations accordingly for the export of fruit.

The bench directed the additional AGP to file written submissions on the matter and put off the hearing to May 7.

Pakistan exported record 91,700 tonnes mangoes during the fruit season 2014 as compared to 61,000 tonnes during 2013.

Published in Dawn, April 28th, 2015

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