ISLAMABAD: National Assembly Standing Committee on Commerce on has recommended imposition of 100 percent duty on import of milk to facilitate the diary industry.
The meeting of the standing committee was held here under the chairmanship of MNA Siraj Muhammad Khan. The committee chairman expressed his reservation on the quality of imported milk and mixing of rust ingredient in milk, which is forbidden to drink in our religion.
During meeting officials from the ministry of commerce briefed the committee regarding the production of milk in the country. They informed that the production of the milk in the country was 52 million ton annually while the annual demand was 42 million ton. The committee questioned the officials, that if production of milk was in excess than why the milk was not being exported to other countries. MNA Rana Hayat said that local farmers are badly affected due to import of milk.
The committee chairman said this milk could not be prepared without adulteration of Rainant powder which was not halal. Moreover he said, urea and unhealthy ingredients were being mixed with the dry milk. He also called for giving protection to local dairy market by increasing duty on imported milk.
The custom officials were of the view that their department was lacking resources. The committee directed to take measures to stop smuggling of milk into the country.
The meeting was attended by Ch Asad-ur-Rehman, Muhmmad Pervaiz Malik, Waseem Akhtar Shaikh, Mian Muhammad Rasheed, Tahira Aurangzeb, Dr. Mehreen Razaqaue Bhutto, Sajida Begum, Tahira Asif, Alhaj Shah Jee Gul Afridi MNAs,besides seniors Officers from Ministry of Commerce.
