ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly Standing Committee on National Food Security and Research convened to discuss significant issues concerning agricultural research and regulatory standards for artificial sweeteners. Held under the chairmanship of Syed Hussain Tariq, the meeting addressed the exclusion of a proposed Dates Research Centre from the forthcoming Public Sector Development Programme and the regulation of artificial sweeteners.

According to the National Assembly of Pakistan, the committee deliberated on the importance of establishing a Dates Research Centre in Khairpur, a joint initiative by the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council and Shah Abdul Latif University. Despite fiscal constraints leading to its exclusion from the development program, the committee emphasized the project’s potential to enhance date production and export capabilities. The committee plans to engage with the Prime Minister to reconsider the project and address broader agricultural issues, including wheat import policies and fertilizer subsidies.

The committee also reviewed the implementation of previous recommendations on artificial sweeteners. The Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority was directed to expedite the revision of regulatory standards to address health concerns identified by the National Institutes of Health. The revised standards aim to improve product labeling and ensure consumer safety. Senior officials from various ministries and national health bodies attended the meeting to discuss these critical initiatives.