Zulfikar Thaver president of  UNISAME lamented that at a time when the government must facilitate and subsidize exports it is putting extra burden. He said  exports have become noncompetitive due to heavy increase in freight rates. The orders are being cancelled and SME exporters are in jeopardy and the policy makers are coming up with unwise steps. SMEDA which is a consultative body needs to be consulted before taking such harmful steps to ruin exports.

Haider Ratnani the convener of the Agri Committee said that under SRO 1423(I)/2026 dated 21st August 2026, amendments have been made to the Pakistan Plant Quarantine Rules, 2019, resulting in a new charge of Rs.50 per Metric Ton for Phyto sanitary Certificates. Previously, exporters were paying a fixed challan of approximately Rs.2,500 per certificate.

This substantial increase is adding a heavy financial burden on exporters at a time when export costs are already continuously increasing.

Furthermore, exporters are being asked to pay Rs.50 per Metric Ton again when an already-issued Phytosanitary Certificate requires correction/re-issue, resulting in double payment for the same shipment. This is particularly unfair where no fresh shipment is involved.

We therefore respectfully request your intervention to:

1 Review the newly imposed Rs.50/Metric Ton charge and provide relief to exporters.

2 Stop double charging on correction/re-issue of Phytosanitary Certificates for the same shipment.

3 Request the concerned authorities to review these charges in consultation with exporters and relevant Chambers.

Such additional costs can negatively affect Pakistan’s export competitiveness and foreign exchange earnings. The Union has requested the urgent intervention of Smeda chief in the matter.