Senate body urges govt to declare flood-hit areas disaster zones

ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on National Food Security and Research has urged the government to declare the flood-affected areas as disaster zones and announce an immediate relief package.

Chairman of the Senate Panel Masroor Ahsan termed the floods a national disaster and called upon the government to provide immediate assistance to the victims through the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP). The committee also reviewed a range of pressing issues related to national food security.

The chairman of the Rice Exporters Association expressed grave concern over the sharp decline in Basmati rice exports due to shipment interruptions to EU countries. Senator Danesh Kumar pointed out that exports were being stalled because of restrictive policies, stressing that “policies must support the economy and exporters.” The committee decided to consult all stakeholders before finalising the NAFSA Ordinance. Chairman Ahsan directed all parties to submit their formal recommendations before the next session.

One of the key issues discussed was the government’s failure to comply with the committee’s earlier directions regarding the appointment of the director general of Plant Protection (DPP). Chairman Ahsan said that the appointment had already been nullified by the court, yet no notification had been issued — a direct violation of judicial orders.

Senator Aimal Wali Khan said that the committee had clearly recommended demotion, but the order had not been implemented. The committee also reviewed inquiry reports concerning Dr. Tariq Khan, Ms. Allah Ditta Abid, and Sohail Shahzad, all former directors (technical) of DPP. After hearing their appeals, Chairman Ahsan remarked, “These are not light allegations. Officers may have been made scapegoats. We need a detailed investigation to determine whether the charges were based on fair and just grounds.” To ensure transparency, a subcommittee under Senator Poonjo Bheel, supported by Senator Saleem Mandviwala, was formed to probe all related inquiries.

The secretary of the ministry informed the committee that two separate inquiries had been conducted against these officers. One involved irregularities in rice consignments, while the other, spanning 2005 to 2025, investigated 49 officers, including retirees. The establishment division and the ministry conducted the inquiries jointly. “Some officers were relieved, while others faced disciplinary action,” the secretary explained.

A three-member subcommittee has now been tasked with submitting a comprehensive report. In addition, the committee recommended an audit of aircraft spray operations, budget allocations, and third-party assessments by firms such as ASSL.

During a briefing on the recent flood devastation, officials from the Ministry of Food Security reported that 2.5 million acres of agricultural land across all provinces had been damaged. Around seven percent of Punjab and KP’s agricultural land was severely affected. The worst-hit crops were rice, sugarcane, and maize in Punjab.

The committee also discussed growing concern over inter-provincial wheat supply restrictions. Senator Aimal Wali Khan questioned the wheat shortage in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, arguing that the province’s share was being unfairly withheld.