ISLAMABAD, Sept 14: Minister of State for Finance and Revenue Omar Ayub Khan on Wednesday told the National Assembly that containers of imported poultry feed, which contained pork, were confiscated by customs authorities in December 2005.

In a written reply to a question raised by MNA Dr Farid Ahmad Paracha, the minister said it was a fact that 137 containers with organic fertilizers and plant growth regulators were imported at Karachi Port, Port Mohammad Bin Qasim, and Lahore Dry Port.

At the time of the examinations, samples were drawn from the consignments which were sent to the PCSIR Laboratories for test, he said, adding, the test reports confirmed the presence of pork contents, and the containers were confiscated.

The importers of the confiscated consignments have filed appeals against the confiscation order, Mr Ayub said, adding, that 56 containers were confiscated by the Port Qasim, and appeals against them had also been rejected.

He said appeals against the 45 containers confiscated by the Appraisement Collectorate were subjudice at the appellate forum. Lahore Collectorate has confiscated 36 containers.

There is a still time to file appeals against this confiscation, he added.

Replying to a question raised by MNA Yasmeen Rehman, minister for finance and revenue Omar Ayub Khan said the change in consumer price index (CPI) on month over basis in May 2006 was at 7.12 per cent as against 9.84 per cent in May 2005.

The food group in CPI basket of 374 items consist of 124 food items, he said, adding, that the food items inflation during May 2006 over May 2005 was estimated at 5.59 per cent.

In a written reply to a question raised by MNA Choudhary Anwar Ali Cheema, Federal Minister for Interior Aftab Ahmad Kahn Sserpao said demarcation of View Colony, Qasimabad, Ghulshan-e- Iqbal, and British House had not been finalizes as yet in the jurisdiction of Islamabad Capital Territory.

Replying to a question raised by MNA Rana Mehmoodul Hassan, the federal minister said 413 African Nationals, excluding diplomats of different origins were residing in Islamabad.

Out of these, 173 have valid documents/visa or United Nation High Registration Authority cards, whereas 240 have National Aliens Registration Authority cards to legitimize their presence in Pakistan and to have their antecedents on record.

No procedure has been prescribed for their living in private accommodation, he said, adding, that no one was repatriated due to their involvement in crimes during the last three years.