News Detail

The Senate Standing Committee on National Food Security & Research met today under the Chairmanship of Senator Syed Masroor Ahsan to deliberate on the budgetary proposals under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) for the Financial Year 2026–27, review the performance of the National Agri-Trade and Food Safety Authority (NAFSA), and examine progress on various projects of the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC).

The meeting was attended by Senator Abdul Wasay, Senator Danesh Kumar, Senator Aimal Wali Khan, Senator Sardar Al Haj Muhammad Umer Gorgaij, and Senator Abdul Karim.

During the meeting, the Committee expressed strong displeasure over the late submission of working papers. It was informed that the PSDP budgetary proposals for the upcoming financial year had not yet been finalized. The Committee showed serious reservations over the delay and urged the Ministry to finalize the proposals at the earliest. The Chairman directed that working papers be submitted well in advance of meetings and deferred further deliberations, instructing the Ministry to finalize the PSDP proposals before the next meeting.

The Committee also received a comprehensive briefing on the working and performance of NAFSA. Expressing concern over ad hoc appointments in senior management, the Committee stressed the urgent need to appoint the Board of Governors, Director General, and other staff on a regular basis. The Committee was informed that temporary appointments had been made to operationalize the Authority and that the process for regular appointments would be completed soon. The Chairman directed that provincial quotas be ensured in NAFSA appointments and emphasized expediting the process to make the Authority fully functional.

The Committee was further briefed on the “Thar Community Actions for the Management of Sustainable Ecosystem, Livestock and Livelihood (Thar CAMELL)” project, proposed for inclusion in the next PSDP. Highlighting the delayed inclusion of the project, the Committee noted its importance for gene conservation of indigenous livestock and establishment of diagnostic laboratories in Tharparkar. The Committee appreciated and endorsed the project.

Additionally, the Committee reviewed a project aimed at the development of high-value camel milk powder to boost foreign exchange earnings and improve livelihoods in arid regions. Appreciating the initiative, the Committee recommended expanding the project to other provinces, particularly Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where a significant camel population exists.

The Committee was also apprised of the regularization of the PSDP project titled “Strengthening/Upgradation of Agriculture and Livestock Research System of Arid Zone Research Institute, Umerkot, Sindh”, along with initiatives for strengthening, upgradation, and accreditation of national laboratories in line with national and international standards. The Committee endorsed these projects and emphasized the need to focus on conservation of indigenous livestock breeds, including local goat and cattle varieties.

Concluding the meeting, the Chairman appreciated the initiatives, noting their strong potential to enhance agricultural productivity and significantly contribute to the country’s foreign exchange earnings.