ISLAMABAD: Chashma Sugar Mills has lodged a complaint with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi regarding the nonavailability of fertiliser amid restricted supplies.
In a letter, the mill’s Senior Director, Iskander Khan, said the company received field reports that the fertiliser industry had imposed curbs under an SRO issued by the Ministry of Interior, restricting fertiliser companies from despatching supplies to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
He said the timing of the restriction was particularly critical, asautumn/Rabi sowing was underway and fertiliser was an essential input for the healthy growth and productivity of major crops.
Any delay or disruption in its availability during this crucial season would adversely affect crop yields, increase the financial burden on farmers and aggravate food insecurity in the province, he added.
Mr Khan stressed that the situation would also adversely impact the supply of sugarcane to sugar mills. The restrictions have been imposed as certain categories of fertiliser are used in making explosives, with authorities fearing that terrorists could obtain such material from vendors.