LAHORE:

The Ministry of Commerce has formally sought the intervention of aviation authorities over complaints from meat exporters regarding additional logistics charges imposed on export consignments, marking a significant development in an ongoing dispute that industry representatives warn could disrupt Pakistan’s meat exports.

In an official letter dated March 17, 2026, the Ministry of Commerce asked the director general of the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) in Karachi to look into the issue of “unauthorised additional charges” reportedly being levied by cargo handling company Gerry’s Dnata on meat export shipments.

The communication followed a complaint submitted by the All Pakistan Meat Exporters and Processors Association (APMEPA), which raised concerns that the newly imposed charges were increasing export costs and affecting the industry’s competitiveness in international markets.

According to exporters, Gerry’s Dnata recently introduced an additional charge of Rs50 per kg on meat exports and warned that consignments would not be processed for shipment unless the payment was made.

Industry representatives say the additional levy translates into roughly $180 per ton, a cost escalation that could significantly impact exporters operating in highly competitive global markets.

Officials in the Ministry of Commerce noted in the letter that the Prime Minister’s Committee on Export of Surplus Food Items to GCC countries had been informed during a meeting on March 15 that the additional charges had already been withdrawn.