KARACHI (March 06 2004): The samples of the fourth vessel, m.v. Sea Swan, carrying 39,587 tonnes of Australian wheat, were handed over on Friday morning to the committee set up under the chairmanship of Dr Atta-ur-Rahman, Federal Minister In-charge of Science and Technology, to resolve the crisis between Pakistan Agricultural Supplies and Storage Corporation (Passco) and Tradesman International over the quality of 150,000 tonnes of wheat imported from Australia.

Earlier, the Passco rejected two shiploads of wheat, about half of the total export order, on the basis of quality, alleging that the wheat is infected by "karnal bunt" disease.

The allegations were made on the basis of samples taken from two ships, m.v. Oriental and m.v. Blue Zenith.

The committee ordered maiden tests of wheat samples taken from the third and fourth vessels, m.v. Federal Hudson and m.v. Sea Swan, the last ship of the Australian wheat convoy so that the quality of wheat could be ascertained.

Sources, connected to the crucial wheat imports in Karachi, said that the government was maintaining strict secrecy about the laboratory tests of the samples carried out in Karachi and Islamabad under the direct supervision of Dr Atta-ur-Rahman.

The committee, before revealing the test reports, would submit the case to the Federal Cabinet, which would make a final decision about the acceptance or otherwise of the imported wheat. However, a decision is expected any moment.

Courtesy Business Recorder