ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office has that Pakistan has no proposals under consideration to allow import of vegetables from India.
The response came after Finance Minister Miftah Ismail earlier stated that the government might consider importing vegetables and other edible items from India.
Addressing a weekly press briefing, FO spokesperson Asim Iftikhar Ahmad said Pakistan issued a strong démarche to India on the first death anniversary of Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Gillani.
“Pakistan is with Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control in paying tribute to Geelani,” he said, adding that the Indian Charge d’ Affaires was summoned to the foreign affairs ministry and a strong démarche was issued over India’s refusal to accept Geelani’s right to burial in accordance with his will.
The veteran Kashmiri leader passed away last year at the age of 92 after being under house arrest for at least 11 years.
Pakistan is facing shortage of vegetables in the wake of heavy rains and floods along with a sharp increase in their prices.
Some international organizations demanded permission from Pakistan to import vegetables and other essential commodities from India to support flood victims in Pakistan, but the Foreign Office has issued a policy statement rejecting rumours about imports from India.
