ISLAMABAD: Senator Aimal Wali Khan on Wednesday made some appalling claims throughout a high-level meals safety assembly, leaving members recoiling in disbelief and calling for stringent measures to halt such malpractices instantly.
His disturbing revelations got here to the fore throughout a gathering of the Senate Standing Committee on National Food Security, chaired by Senator Syed Masroor Hassan, to deal with challenges within the nation’s basmati rice exports to the European Union (EU).
During the session, the Awami National Party (ANP) senator claimed that plastic rice and meat from canine and frogs had been being offered in Pakistan, lamenting the absence of efficient meals high quality checks.
The senator additionally cited a report claiming that solely 22% of the milk offered within the nation was real, whereas the remaining 78% was chemically produced and pretend. The Senate physique fashioned a sub-committee tasked with drafting a complete meals security coverage.
Officials from the Ministry of National Food Security & Research (MNFS&R) revealed that 107 consignments of rice despatched to the EU had confronted objections, with 10,300 shipments exported till 2024.
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has registered 17 FIRs towards officers and staff over alleged mismanagement in rice exports. Of these, 11 suspects are in custody, two are absconding, and 4 are on bail, in line with MNFS&R officers.
Senator Aimal criticised meals safety officers for failing to stop consignment rejections. “Why does fungus develop on shipments cleared for export?” questioned Aimal, slamming the inefficiencies within the export course of.
Another committee member, Senator Dinesh Kumar, raised alarms over the absence of a complete meals security coverage, a priority echoed by the Secretary of National Food Security.
The committee additionally deliberated on the restoration of cotton cess, with Federal Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain reporting that Rs3.2 billion in cess remained unpaid since 2016.
“The All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) claims they lack funds to pay the cess,” stated the minister, including {that a} coverage for restoration can be proposed after consultations with the prime minister.
Officials famous that “strain from the committee has resulted in month-to-month cess collections of Rs30 million.” However, they known as for non-payment of cotton cess to be labeled as a non-bailable offence.
The committee has summoned APTMA representatives for the subsequent assembly to resolve the problem.
