The government is weighing strict restrictions on chloroform imports after serious concerns emerged over its excessive use and the health and environmental risks associated with the chemical. Officials said multiple stakeholder groups have urged the government to take immediate action to prevent its misuse across industries.

Industry bodies, including the Pakistan Footwear Manufacturers Association (PFMA) and the Pakistan Chemical Manufacturers Association (PCMA), pushed authorities to halt chloroform imports entirely. They argued that the chemical is widely used as an adhesive in the footwear sector, where its unchecked use could pose severe health hazards for workers and the environment.

Following these concerns, the Ministry of Commerce held consultations with several key departments, including the Ministry of Industries and Production, the Ministry of Climate Change, the Ministry of National Health Services, DRAP and the FBR. Most stakeholders supported imposing a ban on chloroform imports due to its risks.

However, the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) opposed a full ban, stating that chloroform remains essential for pharmaceutical laboratories, especially for testing and quality control. DRAP warned that a complete prohibition could compromise medicine quality nationwide. Instead, it recommended allowing controlled imports strictly for pharmaceutical use.

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The Ministry of Climate Change also backed tighter regulations and suggested a quota-based restriction under PCT code 2903.1300, with mandatory NOCs for pharmaceutical buyers.

In light of these discussions, the Ministry of Commerce has proposed amending the Import Policy Order 2022 so that only pharmaceutical companies can import chloroform—subject to DRAP approval.