Islamabad-UNS:The Senate Standing Committee on National Food Security & Research, under the chairmanship of Senator Syed Masroor Ahsan, held a critical session to review a range of pressing national food security issues. The session was attended by Senators Poonjo Bheel, Dost Muhammad Khan, Rahat Jamali , Abdul Wasay, Danesh Kumar, Aimal Wali Khan, Sardar Al Haj Muhammad Ajmer Gorgaij, and Senator Abdul Karim.
Chairman of the Rice Importers Association voiced grave concerns over the steep decline in Basmati rice exports, once Pakistan’s most lucrative export commodity. “Pakistan achieved a historic high in rice exports, but we are now witnessing a drastic fall — even lower than India — due to interrupted shipments to EU countries,” he stated.
Senator Danesh Kumar underscored the crisis further, highlighting that exports worth Rs.5 billion were being halted due to restrictive policies. “We were not consulted in the NAFSA Ordinance. Policies must support the economy and exporters, not strangle them,” he said, demanding a full inquiry into the matter.
The committee resolved to gather views from all key exporter and importer associations before finalizing the NAFSA Ordinance. Chairman Senator Masroor Ahsan directed all stakeholders to submit their formal recommendations before the next session.
