ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s agriculture has suffered severe losses as floods destroyed about 2.5 million acres—7.7% of the total cropped area—MNFS&R told the Senate Standing Committee on National Food Security, chaired by Senator Masoor Ahsan.
Punjab is worst hit, with around 90% of major crops affected. Hard-hit districts include Sialkot, Narowal, Gujrat, Jhang, Hafizabad, Chiniot, Multan, Muzaffargarh, Bahawalnagar, and Bahawalpur. PDMA Punjab’s formal crop-damage survey began on September 24. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, PDMA reported damage over 35,000 acres with estimated losses of Rs6,525 million.
The report details extensive losses in Punjab: rice, sugarcane, cotton, fodder and orchards have been widely hit. Sindh also recorded significant damage, including cotton and date palms, while KP reported losses in maize, vegetables, and orchards. Senators urged declaring affected areas disaster-hit and channeling urgent relief through BISP.
Debate turned to supply bottlenecks and trade barriers. Senator Aimal Wali Khan raised KP’s wheat shortfall, while the chair invoked Article 151 to ensure free inter-provincial trade. REAP warned of a sharp fall in Basmati exports amid interrupted EU shipments and criticized the lack of consultation on the proposed NAFSA Ordinance, with claims that Rs5 billion worth of exports are stuck due to restrictive policies.
The committee decided to solicit views from all exporter/importer bodies before finalizing NAFSA. It also rebuked delays in appointing a permanent DG for the DPP, warning of possible contempt over court-ordered compliance. A sub-committee led by Senator Poonjo Bheel will probe related inquiries and report back at the next session.
