KARACHI: As Pakistan’s mango export sector faces one of its worst seasons in recent history marking more than 80% decline in export to Iran along with disturbing allegations have emerged against a senior official of the National Agritrade and Food Safety Authority (NA&FSA), deepening the crisis that has already cost exporters and national exchequer millions.
Mr. Nasir Ahmed Virak, an Entomologist currently in charge of mango export operations at DPP, has been accused of operating a bribery and favoritism network that has choked the country’s mango export system. He holds the critical responsibility of supervising hot water treatment (HWT) protocols, endorsing treatment certificates and issuing phytosanitary certificates mandatory for international shipments.
Mr. Nasir Ahmad, a junior official who, as per reports, has been involved in illegal releases of indian cotton, tomato, meal and banned banana while posting as incharge at Wahgah Land Terminal Lahore and banned lilly cut flowers from Kenya while posting at incharge Illama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore and auditing of rice, sesame and chili units against protocol in exchange for bribes, leading to introduction and spread of scores of Indian and Kenyan pests in Pakistan, was made incharge of Mango Export Program by removing senior and highly qualified officer, Dr. Muhammad Ishfaque, Director Quarantine by Dr. Syed Bilal Haider, Joint Secretary, Admin, reportedly striking deal with Karachi based mango HWT plants owned by two women sisters, industry insider revealed.
However, the exporters allege that Nasir Ahmed is misusing his authority by giving preferential treatment to three HWT plants, two in Janjar Goth Karachi and one in Tando Allah Yar while hindering opertions of the others on lame excuses unless they pay carrots. According to several plant operators, he has deployed DPP inspectors with clear instructions: only those facilities that pay a Rs 5 per kilogram bribe are allowed to operate and ship mangoes to Iran and Europe.
“This is an open extortion racket,” said one affected plant owner. “Unless we pay the amount demanded, our mangoes rot in warehouses while his favorite plants are cleared without delay.”
Industry sources claim that the extorted money being collected is not limited to Nasir Entomologist, but is allegedly being shared with senior officials, including the record holder Deputy Director locust, Dr. Muhammad Basit bearig three more current charges, Director Quarantine, Director Pesticides Registration and Director Locust, Director General of DPP, a Joint Secretary Admin in the Ministry of National Food Security, and even the former Secretary, M/oNFSR, Waseem Ajmal Chaudhry, depite presence of other senior, honest and more qualified officials in the NA&FSA like Dr. Khalid Zafar, Dr. Muhammad Ishfaque.
Exporters have been raising red flags for weeks, warning that Pakistan’s mango exports — once a symbol of national pride are now at the mercy of corruption and favoritism. “ Nasir Entomologist has reduced this to a personal business,” one exporter said. “We’ve never seen a season where NA&FSA has been so openly transactional.”
Disinfestation of mangoes with temperature treatment for pest free exports to Iran, Europe, Australia, China, Russia, Korea, Japan is essential. Yet, even properly treated consignments are reportedly being held up or rejected by Nasir Ahmed Entomologist if exporters refuse to pay.
“This is no longer about inefficiency, it is about institutionalized corruption, and if the government doesn’t act now, Pakistan may permanently lose its credibility in global mango markets,” said an industry representative.
Despite growing complaints from exporters, hot water treatment plant owners, and trade associations against Nasir Ahmed, Umer Farooq, Umar Rathore, Muhammd Hanif Entomologists, Muhshtaq Ahmed, Allah Yar and Imran Ali alias Nikkah Badmash for holding and pending certification, audits, accreditations, emails and endorsements until for bribe, NA&FSA and M/oNFS&R have remained silent on the matter.
Pakistan is among the top five mango-producing countries in the world, but this year’s export season has been marred by scandal, disillusionment, and a system held hostage by bribes, all centered around one man: Nasir Ahmed Entomologist.
