The Pakistan Flour Mills Association (PFMA) Punjab has urged the government to export wheat products instead of directly exporting 500,000 tons of wheat. The Association said it is in favor of exporting the surplus commodities but as flour millers are stakeholder in this process so they should be taken on board and value-added wheat products be encouraged instead of simple wheat.

The demand was raised by PFMA-Punjab Chairman Habibur Rehman Leghari while addressing a meeting of the Association on Friday. The meeting was also attended by the ruling group leader Asim Raza Ahmad, Mian Riaz, Liaquat Ali Khan and others.

Leghari said the government should consult indigenous industry while planning export. He said the industrialists would be compelled to take direct actions if their interests are not protected. Group leader Asim Raza Ahmad speaking on this occasion said it is the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan to promote the local industry, so he should not favor direct wheat export rather encourage the export of value-added exports. He said the millers would not accept wheat export decision. He urged the government to meet the flour millers association and handover this surplus wheat to millers who should export flour, semolina and fine to Afghanistan and earn more than exporting wheat simply.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2019