QUETTA: The Balochistan Assembly through a resolution on Friday called on the federal government to evolve an import and export policy with Iran on the basis of equality because the neighbouring country was not offering equal business opportunities to Balochistan traders.

The resolution was moved by Syed Liaquat Agha of the Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party. Acting Speaker Mir Abdul Qudoos Bizenjo chaired the session.

The resolution which was supported by several members, including those on opposition benches, demanded that the verification fee Iran had been charging on health export certificates be abolished and business visa fee should be the same as other category visa fee.

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The mover in the resolution said that the sample of Pakistani export rice consignment should be tested in Zahidan, instead of Tehran which causes months of delay and exporters suffer great loss.

Former speaker Mir Jan Muhammad Khan Jamali supported the resolution and said that the government should take notice of the situation as Indian businessmen were selling Pakistani Basmati rice in Dubai in the name of Indian rice. He sought a ban on the import of banana and other fruits and vegetables from India.

Deputy opposition leader Zumrak Khan Piralizai said that Iran should extend same facilities to the Pakistani exporters that Pakistan had been offering to Iranian businessmen. He said Iranian fruit, vegetable and other goods were coming to Balochistan and the Pakistan government was extending maximum facilities to Iranian exporters.

Published in Dawn, November 21st, 2015