AgroPages-Cabinet to consider import of insecticides from India today-Agricultural news

The federal cabinet which is scheduled to meet on Tuesday with Prime Minister in the chair will consider a summary of Ministry of Commerce & Textiles to grant one-time permission for import of insecticides from India.

The sources said that the Primary and Secondary Health Care Department, Government of the Punjab has approached Commerce Division for permission to import insecticides from India to control the upsurge of dengue in the province, as they are not available in the local market.

The insecticides are needed to be imported from India are: Alphacypermethin 10SC WHO PQT Pre-qualified (45,000 liter); Deltamathrin 25 percent WG, WHO PQT Pre-qualified (5000 kg) and Temphos 50 percent EC WHO PQT Pre-qualified (3000 liter).

It may be pointed out that in pursuance of the decision of the Federal Cabinet, trade with India has been suspended. However, subsequently vide SRO.978(I)/2019 import of therapeutic products, regulated by the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan, has been allowed from India. Therefore, insecticides cannot be imported from India under the prevailing import policy.

The power to allow import in relaxation of any prohibition or restriction, under Para-20 of the IPO 2016, rests with the Minister for Commerce, with approval of the Prime Minister, in light of the Cabinet decision. Hence, a summary was sent to the Prime Minister to seek his approval for allowing the vendors of the provincial governments to import insecticides from India on one time basis. Subsequently, the Prime Minister office intimidated that the Prime Minister has desired that the subject matter shall be placed before the Federal Cabinet for approval, sources maintained.

In view of the situation and in order to facilitate the Primary and Secondary Health Care Department, the Government of the Punjab to save human lives has proposed that the permission may be granted to import the said quantity of WHO pre-qualified insecticides from India on one time basis, sources added.