The National Assembly Standing Committee on National Food Security and Research has been informed that 101 companies have been registered with the Russian Federation to facilitate Pakistan\u2019s potato exports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The registration process was completed by July 7, 2026, following earlier import restrictions. The committee directed the Ministry of National Food Security and Research to take immediate steps for exporting the existing surplus potato stock to the Russian market so farmers can receive fair prices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The meeting was chaired by Syed Tariq Hussain and focused on agriculture sector development, food security, export facilitation and market related challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The committee said that surplus potato stocks should be moved to export markets without delay. Members stressed that timely exports can help reduce pressure on local farmers and support better returns for growers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The committee recommended setting up a centralized coordination cell at the federal level. The proposed cell would improve coordination among ministries and provinces on food security, regulatory oversight, market monitoring, export support and prevention of cross border smuggling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Secretary of the Ministry of National Food Security and Research informed the committee that the PC I of the proposed initiative had been finalized and would be implemented within three months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The committee sought an explanation from the ministry regarding the exclusion of the joint project of PARC and Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur, for the establishment of the Dates Research Center from PSDP 2026 27.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Chairman PARC was directed to submit a written response about visits to Khairpur and Thatta, commitments made during those visits and MoUs signed on those occasions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The committee also raised questions about the transparency of the recruitment process for the appointment of 80 scientists. The ministry informed the committee that the recruitment process had been cancelled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The committee recommended that provincial food authorities and Islamabad submit their recommendations to PSQCA within one week. PSQCA was also directed to convene a technical committee meeting with all stakeholders to revise beverage standards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The committee expressed concern over artificial sweeteners and chemical additives, especially their possible health effects on children, pregnant women and lactating mothers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It also recommended comprehensive guidelines for provincial food authorities, mandatory quarterly testing of beverages through PSQCA recognized laboratories and stronger monitoring and enforcement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The committee called for clear product labelling to identify possible health risks. It also recommended stopping misleading fruit imagery on packaging and imposing strict penalties for violations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Members further recommended increasing the minimum fruit pulp content in juice products to at least 10 percent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The committee also expressed concern over the sale of beverages containing artificial sweeteners in schools and hospitals and recommended discouraging the sale of juices in plastic containers due to possible health risks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The committee also discussed mango exports and recommended that export schedules should be prepared according to variety and region instead of using one nationwide timeline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Members noted that mangoes in Sindh mature earlier than those in Punjab. The ministry was directed to convene an inter ministerial meeting on mango exports before the next committee meeting and submit a detailed report with country wise export data for the last five years, export trends, challenges and future prospects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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