Senator Sarfraz Bugti, the Caretaker Interior Minister, has instructed the formation of a subcommittee to investigate the exclusive awarding of tenders for olive plant imports to a single company over the past five years. The Senate Standing Committee on National Food Security and Research, led by Chairman PML-F Senator Syed Muzafar Hussain Shah, expressed concerns during a meeting at the Parliament House, prompting the establishment of a subcommittee chaired by JUI-P Senator Kamran Murtaza. This subcommittee will examine the circumstances surrounding the repeated tenders awarded to a single company within two months and present its findings.
The meeting addressed the scarcity of fertilizers for Sindh farmers, resulting in a shortage of wheat crops and a surge in the black market price. The committee urged urgent collaboration with stakeholders to address this issue.
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The Senate panel also raised concerns about the non-receipt of cotton cess from textile firms over the past five years, directing officials to liaise with APTMA to resolve the matter. The committee learned about new wheat varieties developed by PARC and suggested compiling a list of progressive farmers for better engagement.
Caretaker National Food Security and Research Minister Dr. Kausar Abdullah Malik, along with Senators Sania Nishtar, Seemee Ezdi, and Jam Mahtab Hussain Dahar, attended the meeting. It concluded with a call for action, emphasizing the need for solutions to various agricultural challenges. Additionally, the caretaker national food security and research minister directed PARC to establish a body for the permanent recruitment of scientific staff, focusing on retaining scientists within the country rather than abroad.
