Islamabad: A meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on National Food Security & Research, chaired by Senator Syed Masroor Ahsan, focused on addressing irregularities in the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council’s (PARC) recruitment process and assessing national agricultural policies.

According to Senate of Pakistan, the committee expressed concerns over the failure to provide necessary documentation related to PARC’s recruitment irregularities, noting that the issue is currently sub judice. Some officials have been suspended, and an inquiry under the Efficiency and Disciplinary Rules is underway. The chairman urged a swift conclusion to the inquiry, requesting a detailed report be submitted to the committee promptly.

Discussions also centered on candidates affected by age limits in PARC vacancies. The committee recommended creating opportunities for these candidates in future recruitment efforts to protect their interests. Additionally, the committee emphasized the implementation of the provincial quota for all positions, with officials confirming that codal formalities have been completed to enforce this quota.

The committee deferred discussions on tobacco cultivation and the National Wheat Policy due to the absence of relevant officials, with the chairman mandating their presence at the next meeting for a full briefing. On the National Oilseed Policy, concerns were raised about the growing edible oil import bill. The federal government plans to increase domestic production, focusing on olive cultivation. Senator Ahsan called for practical steps to boost local edible oil production, requesting a report on progress and future plans.

The issue of alleged bogus VRI vaccination in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was also on the agenda, with the committee seeking a detailed briefing and deferring further discussion.