ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on National Food Security & Research, chaired by Senator Syed Masroor Ahsan, on Thursday raised serious concerns over the prolonged vacancy of the Director General (DG) post in the Department of Plant Protection (DPP) and repeated violations of export SOPs.
The Chairman questioned why the DG slot had remained unfilled for the past nine months despite the department’s central role in regulating Pakistan’s agricultural exports. The Secretary, Ministry of National Food Security & Research, informed the committee that three different officers had served as DG in recent years, but each faced allegations of serious irregularities. One officer has since retired, while two others were terminated from service following inquiries.
Senator Saleem Mandviwalla remarked that scandals of such magnitude could not have been the work of individuals alone and suggested that inquiry officers and those who led the proceedings against the DGs should also appear before the committee. The Chairman agreed, recommending that the three former DGs and the inquiry officials be summoned.
Senator Masroor Ahsan further highlighted repeated violations of export protocols, particularly in mango exports to Iran, and noted that earlier directives of the Senate panel had been ignored. He questioned the Secretary’s role in failing to curb such practices, warning that the ministry’s inability to implement parliamentary recommendations raised doubts over its capacity to run the institution. He also sought accountability over a recent European Union report on Pakistani exports, asking who within the ministry would take responsibility.
The committee also discussed the draft National Agri-Trade and Food Safety Authority (NAFSA) Bill. Senator Mandviwalla stressed that export associations must be consulted before finalizing the bill and recommended clause-by-clause review to address exporters’ concerns. Senator Aimal Wali Khan added that Pakistan lagged behind even neighboring countries in quarantine facilities, asking who was monitoring rice exports and whether imported livestock underwent proper quarantine checks.
The Secretary responded that quarantine arrangements were being handled under public–private partnerships, adding that live animal imports and exports had been banned since 2014, with only limited exemptions allowed.
The committee also took up the issue of outdated aircraft meant for locust control. Senator Mandviwalla pointed out that most of these planes were grounded in deteriorating condition at airports. The Chairman directed that the next meeting be held in Karachi, where senators would personally inspect the aircraft. He further ordered that recommendations made in previous meetings be implemented in letter and spirit.
The meeting was attended by Senators Saleem Mandviwalla, Poonjo Bheel, Dost Muhammad Khan, Abdul Karim, Aimal Wali Khan, Agha Shahzaib Durrani, and senior officials from the Ministry of National Food Security & Research and the Department of Plant Protection.
