SARGODHA: Pakistan earned $20 million in foreign exchange from kinnow exports last month, according to Chaudhry Shoaib Ahmed Basra, director of the Pakistan Horticultural Development and Export Board, Ministry of Commerce.

Speaking about the production of Sargodha’s renowned souvenir kinnow, he said over 2,800 containers were exported globally in December. Of these, 1,350 were shipped by sea, with the UAE receiving 450 containers, Indonesia 281, Oman 151, Sri Lanka 150, and the Philippines 97. Additionally, 1,374 containers were transported by road to destinations including Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

Basra said there was a 40% decline in kinnow production due to climate change. He called for the introduction of new plant varieties. He said that the introduction of improved kinnow strains has extended the crop’s availability to eight to nine months.

BAN LIFTED: The Malaysian government has lifted its ban on laboratory testing of Sargodha’s souvenir kinnow, paving the way for increased exports.

The restriction, imposed in November 2024, had disrupted exports, with shipments halted at Malaysian ports. Sargodha Chamber of Commerce President Khwaja Yasir Qayyum said the issue was raised with Malaysia’s High Commission and Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan.

The Food Safety Quality Programme Division of Malaysia’s Ministry of Health later rescinded the inspection requirement. Mr Qayyum thanked Trade Investment Counsellor Tahira Javed for her pivotal role in resolving the matter.

ANTI-ENCROACHMENT DRIVE: The Sargodha Municipal Corporation has ramped up its anti-encroachment campaign, demolishing illegal structures, sealing 35 shops, and confiscating goods from encroachers across the city.

Under the supervision of acting chief officer Umar Farooq, teams targeted various markets and announced that the operation would continue daily.

On the occasion, the authorities said that strict action was being taken on complaints of encroachment on footpaths and collecting monthly extortion by placing carts and stalls in front of shops.

Mr Farooq said that operation cleanup would continue on a daily basis to clear the city of encroachments. He urged citizens to cooperate with the authorities and remove encroachments on their own or legal action will be taken.

Published in Dawn, January 7th, 2025