KARACHI (March 12 2004): After rejecting Australian wheat declared unfit for human consumption, the federal government has decided to import wheat from other sources.

Passco had imported about 0.3 million tonnes of wheat from Australia. On commodity's arrival in Pakistan it was found unfit for human consumption. Many a time, the commodity was tested at various laboratories, but the result was the same.

Sources said Passco had not made any payment, adding the Pakistan government asked the Australian government to take back the commodity, though Australia insisted that wheat should be tested in some UK or US laboratories, this Australian plea was also rejected by the Pakistan government.

It is reported that Punjab had asked the federal government to import 200,000 tonnes and the Sindh government had also asked for 100,000 tonnes.

The government has decided to import wheat which is suitable in respect of quality and price.

Meanwhile, the Sindh government is reported to have established 22 procurement centres all over Sindh, but for the time being these centres have been asked not purchase wheat from growers and give chance to the flour factory owners to make direct purchases so that the problem of the current shortage of Atta is solved.

Courtesy Daily Business Recorder