The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on National Food Security and Research convened on Friday at Parliament House to tackle critical challenges in agriculture, particularly the difficulties faced by tobacco and cotton cultivators and the advancement of agricultural biotechnology.
Presided over by MNA Syed Tariq Hussain, the 17th meeting commenced with the approval of previous meeting minutes and a progress evaluation of prior suggestions. A crucial point, raised by former Speaker Asad Qaiser, underscored the immediate requirement for a comprehensive strategy to aid struggling tobacco farmers.
The Pakistan Tobacco Board (PTB) briefed the committee on actions taken in response to earlier recommendations, encompassing tobacco taxation, CESS fund usage, corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs, and a planned crop protection plan. However, the committee voiced apprehension about growers” exclusion from supervisory committees. They observed that roughly PKR 949 million earmarked for research and expansion remained unused due to a vacant director position.
Grower delegates described difficult circumstances encountered during crop transactions, including enduring long lines in adverse weather. The committee instructed the Ministry to incorporate growers in all pertinent PTB entities and expedite filling vacant posts, ensuring timely execution of improvements and expansion strategies.
Regarding financial strategy, the committee requested the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to furnish a detailed account of GST and Federal Excise Duty (FED) levied on tobacco and cigarettes over the past five years in the forthcoming meeting. The FBR notified the committee that GST will be applied to imported cotton from August 15, 2025, via a new Statutory Regulatory Order (SRO), intended to maintain parity with locally grown cotton and balance internal prices.
The committee also resolved to tackle escalating sugar costs in its subsequent session, requesting an investigation into the reasons and the formulation of strategies to safeguard customers. A distinct dialogue concentrated on disturbing allegations of donkey meat being marketed in Islamabad. The committee highlighted significant public well-being anxieties and directed the Ministry to collaborate with applicable authorities and present conclusions in the next meeting.
Crop Life Pakistan showcased its agricultural pioneering initiatives, including GMOs, computer-based farming, and climate-resistant harvests. Despite these technological prospects, the sector confronts obstacles such as restrictive importation protocols, permit postponements, restricted research and development, and regulatory opposition to GMOs.
The Ministry revealed that the highly anticipated Biotechnology Policy is complete and ready for presentation to the Prime Minister’s Office. The committee also requested a copy within 10 days and pushed for the overdue Seed Policy”s submission for approval. The committee confirmed its dedication to addressing fundamental agricultural problems and guaranteeing that farmers” benefits remain central to national strategy choices. Several MNAs and senior officials from various organizations attended the meeting.