KARACHI , Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain has inaugurated the Central Plant Quarantine Laboratory (CPQL) at the Department of Plant Protection in Karachi, describing the facility as an important step toward strengthening agricultural research, plant protection and Pakistan’s export potential.
Speaking to the media, the federal minister said the state-of-the-art laboratory has been equipped to meet international standards and will expand the country’s testing capabilities while supporting the agricultural sector.
“Protecting farmers’ interests is the government’s foremost priority,” Hussain said, adding that stronger laboratory infrastructure would help improve agricultural productivity in international markets and safeguard plant health.
Plant Quarantine Capacity to Be Strengthened
Hussain highlighted improvements in plant quarantine, saying interceptions had declined from 376 to 23. He expressed confidence that enhanced laboratory facilities and greater technical capacity would help bring the number down further.
He said the Department of Plant Protection would also be able to recruit and train qualified personnel to efficiently operate the CPQL and the Federal Pesticides Testing and Reference Laboratory (FPTRL).
The minister also announced an agreement with the International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences at the University of Karachi’s H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry to strengthen cooperation in food security and research.
Under the collaboration, Pakistan will have access to commercial pesticide-residue testing facilities, supporting agricultural quality assurance and compliance with export requirements.
Data-Based Policies for Wheat and Sugar
Discussing wheat and sugar markets, Hussain stressed the need for coordination among federal and provincial governments, farmers, and representatives of the wheat and sugar industries.
He said policy decisions would be based on available data and the broader interests of Pakistan’s agricultural economy.
Regarding sugar exports, the minister said Pakistan currently has a surplus that could benefit farmers. However, he stressed that accurate data on domestic demand is necessary before decisions are taken on sugar imports or exports.
Hussain credited Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s vision and commitment to development, saying stronger agricultural institutions are essential to expanding Pakistan’s export opportunities.
He added that the new facility would strengthen the country’s plant quarantine and pesticide-testing capabilities while contributing to safer agricultural inputs.
The minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to food security, farmers’ welfare and sustainable agricultural development, and said the prime minister had called for a new data-collection system to improve agricultural planning.