KARACHI: All Pakistan Fruit & Vegetable Exporters, Importers & Merchants Association (PFVA) has expressed serious concerns over the proposed formation of the National Agri-Trade & Food Safety Authority (NAFSA). The association argues that the new authority is unnecessary and unwarranted, warning that it would further burden the horticulture sector instead of facilitating it.
The PFVA, the sole representative body of the horticulture sector, has raised strong objections to the proposed bill for NAFSA’s establishment. The association asserts that before forming a new authority, the government must thoroughly assess the shortcomings of the existing Department of Plant Protection (DPP). Simply replacing an entity without addressing its failures does not guarantee success.
In a letter sent to the Secretary of the Ministry of National Food Security and Research on Saturday, the PFVA identified several key reasons for the inadequate performance of the DPP. These include a lack of sufficient qualified and trained manpower, as well as the absence of inspection and testing infrastructure at ports. Instead of creating a new authority, the government should focus on strengthening the DPP by enhancing operational inspection and testing infrastructure at ports—similar to developed nations—and appointing skilled and qualified officers to improve its efficiency and reduce administrative costs.
The PFVA warns that the establishment of NAFSA may result in additional bureaucratic layers, increased hurdles, and conflicts with existing departments. There are concerns that excessive red tape could make regulatory processes more cumbersome rather than efficient. The association also questions whether NAFSA will have the capacity and resources to effectively implement new standards, given that existing departments have struggled to uphold international Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) standards.
While the stated goal of NAFSA is to improve exports, the PFVA fears that poorly implemented regulations could create additional challenges for exporters. Increased bureaucracy and regulatory hurdles may hinder trade rather than facilitate it. The association also expressed disappointment over the lack of stakeholder involvement in drafting the new regulations. As a key player in the agricultural trade sector, the PFVA believes it should have been consulted to ensure that policies are practical and effective.
Another major concern is the absolute power entrusted to NAFSA. Section 36 of the proposed bill states that no suit shall be instituted against the authority or its members, effectively removing legal accountability. This provision prevents trade bodies from addressing grievances against the authority, raising serious concerns about transparency and fairness. The PFVA has also called for a reasonable timeframe for dispute resolution, particularly for perishable goods. Delays in resolving disputes could render decisions meaningless if the product deteriorates or expires before a resolution is reached.
The PFVA warns that the formation of NAFSA could significantly disrupt the export sector. If new regulations are enforced strictly without addressing the root causes of past failures, exports may decline to undesirable levels. The association strongly recommends that the government focus on strengthening the existing DPP by addressing its shortcomings instead of establishing a new authority. Enhancing the DPP’s capacity would be a more cost-effective solution, ensuring better facilitation for exporters and improved compliance with SPS standards.
The NAFSA bill was previously rejected by the Mian Nawaz Sharif government and later by the Imran Khan government due to overlapping and duplicative authority at the federal level. Provincial food safety authorities are already regulating food exports and imports under their respective legislation: Punjab under the Punjab Food Authority Act, 2011; Sindh under the Sindh Food Authority Act, 2016; and KPK and Balochistan through their respective Food Authority Acts of 2014. Moreover, the definitions and terminology used in the NAFSA Bill are not aligned with those defined by international bodies such as the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC), and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH, formerly OIE).
It is alleged that the bill is being prepared by certain former officials under the Ministry of National Food Security and Research (MNFSR) to prolong their tenure as authority members even after retirement, at the government’s expense. The proposal is reportedly being pushed by Mr. Waseem Ajmal Choudhry, Secretary MNFSR, and Bilal Haider, Joint Secretary, in an attempt to please the premier and secure lucrative postings, without considering the national interest.
According to insiders, the premier is being misled by individuals with vested interests in the DPP. It is alleged that Israr Khan, a London-based clearing and fumigation agent, is a key figure behind efforts to make the DPP controversial. He is accused of influencing the posting of his preferred officers, despite their alleged corruption, to serve his business interests. Reports suggest that he frequently contacts DPP and MNFSR officials, as well as the Prime Minister’s Office, to manipulate narratives and tarnish the reputations of officers who refuse to comply with his demands.
Israr Khan is said to have repeatedly referenced a report prepared by former Additional Secretary MNFSR Rashid Mehmood Langrial, who is now Chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). However, this report was neither endorsed by the Secretary nor the Federal Minister at the time. It was later nullified by Mr. Zafar Hassan, former Secretary MNFSR, who informed the Prime Minister’s Office that the report was misleading and motivated by vested interests.
It is further alleged that Israr Khan directs bureaucrats through intermediaries, offering them business partnerships to gain influence. Despite being based in the UK, he remains an unseen but influential figure, primarily communicating through messages from UK-based numbers. His actions have allegedly undermined the DPP’s credibility, despite the department’s role in facilitating historic exports of rice, sesame, onions, potatoes, corn, mangoes, and citrus fruits. Moreover, he is accused of ending the disinfestation of imported commodities, allowing foreign pests to enter the country—a move that could have devastating consequences for Pakistan’s agriculture in the future.
Given these concerns, the PFVA urges the government to reconsider the establishment of NAFSA and instead focus on strengthening existing institutions to ensure a more efficient and transparent regulatory framework for agricultural trade.
