Islamabad 1st November, 2021:  21st meeting of the Standing Committee on National Food Security and Research (NFS&R) was held under the chairmanship of Rao Muhammad Ajmal Khan, MNA, in the Committee Room of National Agriculture Research Center (NARC), Chak Shahzad, Islamabad.

2. The Secretary, Ministry of National Food Security and Research (NFS&R) briefed the Committee about the case of theft of Garlic Seed in the NARC and informed that after conducting inquiry in the matter responsibility has been fixed and the case is being referred to FIA for further investigation.  

3. The minimum support price of wheat, for the next year, would be announced within a week after getting approval from the Cabinet. The Committee recommended that the minimum support price for the wheat for the next year should be fixed at Rs/- 2200 per maund.

4  The Committee discussed “The West Pakistan Pure Food (Amendment) Bill, 2021” introduced by Ms. Nusrat Wahid, MNA in detail and passed the Bill unanimously with some amendments.    

5. The Committee discussed “National Food Safety, Animal and Plant Health Regulatory Authority Act, 2021”, introduced by Rai Muhammad Murtaza Iqbal, MNA in detail and decided that the Mover and the Ministry will mutually finalize the proposed legislation and the final draft will be presented in the next meeting. Calling Attention Notice No. 9 moved by Mr. Mohsin Nawaz Ranjha, MNA; deferred  due to the non-presence of the Mover.

6. The Committee also constituted a Sub-Committee with the following Composition and Terms of Reference:-
Composition:-
i. Mian Muhammad Shafiq   Convener  
ii. Mr. Muhammad Ibrahim Khan Member
iii. Syed Javed Ali Shah Jillani   Member
iv. Mr. Riaz Ul Haq                 Member
Terms of Reference:-
“To look into the reasons of decrease in Production of Cotton in the Country and to propose recommendations”  

7.   MNAs, Rai Muhammad Murtaza Iqbal, Mian Muhammad Shafiq, Mr. Muhamamad Ibrahim Khan, Dr. Nausheen Hamid, Syed Javed Ali Shah Jillani, Mr. Kamal Ud-din, Mr. Zulfiqar Bachani, Movers Mr. Riaz Pirzada and Ms. Nusrat Wahid and senior officers/ officials from the Ministry of NFS&R, Commerce, Ministry of Law and Justice & NARC attended the meeting.

(NAZAR ABBAS)
Secretary Committee