'No harm in vegetables export to Afghanistan'

PESHAWAR (APP) - The commission agents of the vegetable market find no harm in the export of fresh vegetables to Afghanistan, saying it stabilizes prices of the perishable food items in the country.
Addressing a press conference on Friday at Peshawar Press Club (PPC), President, Commission Agents of the vegetable market, Malik Sohni said that Pakistan exports a good quantity of perishable vegetables to Afghanistan while the former imports onions from the later.
He said trade of vegetables between Pakistan and Afghanistan would have no bad effect on the prices of the commodities in Pakistan. He said over 80 trucks loaded with onions have arrived in Pakistan during the last four months while Pakistan used to export about 40 trucks loaded of potato and perishable vegetables to Afghanistan.
He was flanked by general secretary of the association, Malik Mohammad Javed. To a question regarding prices of the vegetables, he said that the commission agents fixed the rates on the basis of supply and demand. He said that they get nominal margin in the process. However, he admitted that rumours and speculations play important role in the fixation of the prices of vegetables.
About big difference in the price paid to growers and buyers, he said that the packing of the vegetables in bardana (bag) and cost of transportation ultimately increase the price of the commodity.
He said that they pay million of rupees to the government in head of taxes. He said that the commission agents of the vegetable market also facilitate growers in the cultivation of different vegetables with the hope that they will market it through them. In this connection, he especially mentioned the distribution of the seed of cucumber amongst the growers. Regarding security situation, he said that other provinces have started registration of the outsiders residing in Lahore and Karachi.
However, he said NWFP has initiated no such measure in the province. He said that the commission agents hailing from province are facing problems due to the security situation as no one is ready to rent houses and buildings to them. He demanded of the government to immediately initiate the registration of the non-locals in the city.
Malik Sohni and Malik Javed appreciated the performance and security arrangements made by the district administration and police on Youm-e-Ashura. He said that the peace was ensured as police remain in close contact with the traders and social workers.
They said that through keeping close liaison with the trading community, the police could betterly serve the people through maintenance of peace in the society.