Pakistan mulls import of vegetables, raw jute from India

Pakistan has approved proposals to import around 16 vegetables as also raw jute from India through the Wagah border in order to rein in prices in the domestic market.

Additionally, another 18 items have been added to the list of goods that can be imported from India.

Among the vegetables that would be allowed to be imported into Pakistan, the Pakistan commerce ministry has listed cauliflower, cabbage, carrot, cucumber, capsicum, green chillies, okra, bitter gourd, radish, green coriander and ginger.

These can be imported only by truck through the Wagah land border route.

The move follows amendments to the Import Policy Order of 2009, which were notified yesterday.

The 18 items added to the list of goods that can be imported from India include empty aluminium alloy cans, accessories for leather bags and footwear, jigs and dies for vehicles, fungicides for the leather industry and textile spinning machines, bobbin winding machines, reeling machines, power looms, fly ash for the cement industry, traction motors and spares, printed books of all kinds and flavouring powers.

The changes to the Import Policy Order came as amendments to the Strategic Trade Policy Framework of 2009-12.

The amendments had earlier, been approved by the Economic Coordination Committee of the Cabinet.

The authorities also allowed the temporary import-cum-export of accessories for export-oriented textile and leather industries and according to another amendment, the definition of auto parts was also enlarged.