Pakistani Exporters Urge Government To Stop Rice Smuggling

Under the circumstances when the prices of rice are going sky-high in the local markets, the Pakistani exporters urge the government must take notice of smuggling of the commodity to save exports and also to stabilise prices in the local markets, exporters and wholesale dealers said on Friday.

They were of the opinion that soaring prices of rice were causing extraordinary burden on the local consumers, especially the middle class, as the rates of other essential items have already gone up despite the government's long-drawn slogans of meeting the basic needs of the nation.

It came under observation that not only rice or wheat rates were soaring, the prices of most of the commodities and several essentials of life have gone up sharply, ahead of the Budget for 2007-08.