Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan

REF: REAP/ADMN/0768 June 24, 2026

Mr. Zafar Abbass
The Editor
Daily Dawn, Karachi.

SUBJECT: MISLEADING AND UNVERIFIED NEWS REPORT REGARDING RICE EXPORTERS

Dear Sir,

We gazed through an article in Dawn allegedly misreporting “Pakistan Customs identifies 150 exporters misdeclaring weights to claim inflated subsidies” published in Dawn. The report contains serious allegations against approximately 150 rice exporting firms and creates an impression that a large segment of the rice export industry is involved in fraudulent practices.

The report seems to be misinterpreted from a meeting notification issued by Customs regarding shipment to Kenya where almost 150 Exporters (REAP Provided list) were called to discuss and deliberate on compliance issues including weight declarations. No evidence, findings, or official determination was presented establishing that those150 exporters had engaged in any wrongdoing.

Moreover, if weight is being under-declared, the exporter would receive less DLTL, not more. Therefore, linking this issue with DLTL is, in our view, unjustified and contrary to the facts.

As you may understand that any such publication in reputed print news media like Dawn may cause significant reputational damage to Pakistan’s rice export sector, which is one of the country’s leading foreign exchange earning industries.

I hope, in case of any such report in future, myself and my office may be contacted any time for verification before printing it in press. Also a line of clarification in this regard in Dawn shall be appreciated and will impair the loss.

REAP remains committed to full compliance with all customs laws, export regulations, and government policies and will continue to cooperate with the relevant authorities in promoting transparency and fair trade practices.

We look forward to your prompt response and corrective action.

Yours sincerely,

For Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan

Malik Faisal Jahangir
Chairman — REAP

C.C.

1. Mr. Amir Waseem, Bureau Chief, Dawn, Islamabad.
2. Mr. Nasir Jamal, Bureau Chief, Dawn, Lahore.
3. Mr. Mubarak Zeib Khan, Dawn, Islamabad.
4. Mr. Muhammad Javed Jillani, Senior Vice Chairman, REAP.
5. Mr. Mohibullah, Vice Chairman REAP.

Published Date: June 24, 2026