Daily Times

KARACHI: The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has decided to probe into higher air freight rates being charged by foreign airlines for export of perishable commodities in Pakistan, fruit exporters claimed Thursday.

The commission after examining complaints of horticultural exporters has decided to look into the issue by constituting a relevant committee. This development was reported after a detailed meeting of concerned stockholders with Director General of CCP in Islamabad. A four-member joint delegation of PFVEA & ACAAP, comprising of Waheed Ahmed Patron-in-chief and Shahzad Shaikh, also member Executive Committee of Pakistan Fruit & Vegetable Exporters Association PFVEA, along with Mohsin Abbas Dharsi, Chairman and Shujaat Ali Convener, FDSC of Air Cargo Agents Association of Pakistan ACAAP, were called upon by Shaista Bano, Director General, CCP.

The meeting was summoned by Director General CCP, after a complaint registered by the associations before start of mango season 2017. They discussed the matters of higher freight rates being charged by foreign carriers on perishable commodities, especially mango shipments to European destinations, Middle East and USA. The delegation explained and clarified the contention with all the supportive documentary evidences.

Their concerns are; the higher air freight rates being charged from on all “Pakistani perishable commodities” especially Mangoes Shipments to European, Middle Eastern and American destinations. Apart from other serious and unjustified conditions imposed by Airlines, the indemnity bond are take from the Exporters before the start of Mango Season. By virtue of this documents, the exporters cut their hands and in case of any mishandling, damage or loss of shipment, the Exporters cannot submit a claim. Although Pakistan’s Exporters paying highest air freight rates among the Sub- continent Mango Exporters, yet their shipments are not given priority. Even by paying higher air freights Pakistani exporters are not able to compete in International market and on another side due to negligence and mishandling by airlines the exports consignments are being rejected which leads towards heavy revenue losses. Later the CCP officials assured the PFVA delegation about prompt investigation into the issue for which a committee would be constituted soon.

Published in Daily Times, July 14^th , 2017.