LAHORE, July 28: Two truckloads carrying 12 tons of garlic crossed into Pakistan on Thursday. According to quarantine department officials, this was in addition to 30 tons already brought into the country by importers during the last two days.

Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer of Pakistan Horticulture Development & Export Board said on Thursday that only pineapple could be imported from India as far as fruits were concerned.

Responding to reported import of fruits from India on Wednesday, he said that no other fruit could be imported according to the official policy. The government, he said, had already ordered an inquiry into the reported import of other fruits.

He said that the federal government had also directed the board to take up the case with customs authorities, both at the collectorate and local (Wagha border) level to ensure that such violations (if any) were not committed in future.

He said that market committees and local importers from Lahore were denying fruit imports. But there were reports of some violation of the government policy in this regard. “The board is inquiring, and if the failure of the system/officials is proven, the board has been asked by the federal government to take steps for stopping a repeat of situation.” Meanwhile, agriculture marketing special secretary Muhammad Yusuf said that no horticulture import from India but garlic arrived in local markets.

According to official policy, only tomato, onion, potato and garlic could be imported from India. Livestock also includes the list of imported items, but it had not so far crossed the border, he said.