During a recent session of the Senate Standing Committee on National Food Security, Senator Aimal Wali Khan raised serious concerns about the integrity of Pakistan’s food supply. He alleged that meats from dogs, donkeys, and frogs are being sold to consumers, attributing this to inadequate food quality inspections. Additionally, he claimed that only 22% of milk sold in the country is genuine, with the remaining 78% being chemically altered.
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The committee, led by Senator Syed Masroor Hassan, convened to address challenges in basmati rice exports to the European Union (EU). The Ministry of National Food Security & Research (MNFS&R) reported that 107 rice shipments to the EU were rejected out of 10,300 total exports in 2024. In response to these issues, the committee established a sub-committee tasked with drafting a comprehensive food safety policy.
Senator Aimal Wali criticized food security officials for their failure to prevent consignment rejections, while Senator Dinesh Kumar echoed concerns over the absence of a robust food safety policy. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has filed 17 FIRs related to mismanagement in rice exports, resulting in several arrests.
The committee also discussed unpaid cotton cess, with plans for recovery pending further consultations.
These revelations have sparked a nationwide call for stricter food safety regulations and enforcement to protect consumers from hazardous and unethical practices.
