ISLAMABAD: Ambassador of China Mr Yao Jing on Tuesday called on Federal Minister for National Food Security & Research Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar and discussed a range of issues.
The federal minister apprised the ambassador about the requirement of pesticides and aerial support to control the locust in Pakistan particularly Sindh and Balochistan. He informed about the current situation of affected areas and how the locust is spreading there. The minister also underlined the importance of the measures taken by neighbouring countries to control locust as these insects keep on moving on vast areas.
Bakhtiar informed the ambassador about the requirement of aerial support from China to curtail the production of locust in venerable areas. He underscored the urgent need of aerial support with pesticide for aerial spray to contain the locust in the desert area.
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The ambassador assured to consider supply of pesticides and spraying equipment to Pakistan as an emergency project. He further informed that the Chinese side will send a delegation of technical experts during next week to Pakistan to further deliberate on aerial management of locust. The delegation will also visit the locust affected areas.
The envoy said China is also interested to increase import of agricultural products from Pakistan including onion, potato and meat. He informed that China wants to ease out the export of these products before the high-level visit expected in May this year.
The federal minister welcomed the Chinese interest in the import of agricultural products. He acknowledged the proactiveness of China to support Pakistan for locust issue and said it shows the strength of the Pak-China relationship.
Chairman National Disaster Management Authority, Lt. Gen. Muhammad Afzal, Secretary NFSR Dr Hashim Popalzai, Food Security Commissioner Dr Syed Waseemul Hassan, and Animal Husbandry Commissioner Dr Khurshid Ahmed were also present in the meeting.
