Senators slam food ministry over inaction

Report on past meeting decisions still pending

ISLAMABAD:

A session of the Senate Standing Committee on National Food Security and Research on Thursday witnessed sharp criticism from members over the ministry's performance and lack of follow-up on previous meeting directives.

The panel, chaired by Senator Syed Masroor Ahsan, was informed that the report on the implementation of decisions from earlier meetings could not be presented. Several senators expressed dissatisfaction, saying the ministry appeared indifferent to parliamentary oversight.

Senator Dinesh Kumar remarked that such committee meetings served little purpose when all members remained unaware of progress on key issues.

Federal Minister for National Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain attended the meeting and faced tough questions from the members. Chairman Ahsan said ministry officials were not taking the committee's proceedings seriously.

Responding to the criticism, Tanveer said he was available to address any complaints and assured the committee that corrective measures would be taken.

Discussing the Department of Plant Protection (DPP), the chairman noted that committee members seemed completely unaware of its previous deliberations. The minister admitted that the DPP had long been plagued by corruption, adding that the prime minister had personally taken notice of the situation.

Action was taken on IB and ISI reports, and more than half of the department's staff were removed," Tanveer said. "Now, we don't even have a single officer above Grade 18 in that department."

Tanveer said the prime minister had issued clear directives that there would be zero tolerance for corruption. We have recently appointed a Grade 20 officer with an excellent reputation and strong work ethic to lead the department, he added.

The minister made it clear that the ministry would not accept any administrative directives issued by the committee. "If any such directions come, I will not comply," Tanveer asserted.

He said several sensitive matters would be shared with the committee in-camera, adding that calling individuals who had already been proven guilty of corruption served no purpose. "If such people continue to be summoned, I will not take this forum seriously," he warned.

Tanveer reiterated his stance, saying he wanted to make the committee fully aware of the ministry's position.