Due to Incompetence of Authorities, Pakistan’s Key Institution Department of Plant Protection on the Verge of Collapse
Pakistan’s vital federal institution, the Department of Plant Protection (DPP)—responsible for inspecting imported and exported agricultural and food products, distinguishing between halal and haram, enforcing biosecurity, quarantine, expiry dates, and international standards—has practically become paralyzed due to corruption, nepotism, and lack of government attention. Under the Ministry of National Food Security & Research, this sensitive department is not only losing its credibility but its poor performance poses serious threats to Pakistan’s food security and global trade reputation.
According to sources, the DPP, which once held the distinction of having its own aerial fleet at the time of Pakistan’s independence, is now in such a condition that a decision has been made to donate its 15 aircraft to other institutions, including 8 Cessna and 7 Fletcher planes, which were previously used for agricultural spraying, aerial surveillance, and anti-narcotics operations.
Verified sources told Tijarat News that over the past year, several Directors General (DGs) were appointed and removed within the department. However, every newly appointed head ended up joining the existing corrupt system. While certain consignments were cleared through favored customs clearing agents, officials allegedly continued direct financial dealings with mill and factory owners.
A particularly controversial development is that despite a customs officer being removed from the DG post by order of the Sindh High Court, another customs officer, Yaseen Murtaza, was deputed as DG of DPP. Sources indicate that this officer is already well aware of the nexus between customs and DPP, raising serious questions about his appointment.
Following rampant corruption and mismanagement, the federal government has carried out major transfers and suspensions within the Ministry of National Food Security & Research. The Cabinet Division transferred Additional Secretary Ameer Mohiuddin and assigned Captain (Retired) Saif Anjum additional charge as Secretary to ensure transparent oversight of ongoing investigations. Previously, former DG Tahir Abbas was removed from the posts of Plant Protection Advisor and DG following Sindh High Court orders, while Dr. Attaullah Khan was suspended from the DG post on December 23, 2025.
Sources warn that fake biosecurity clearances for agricultural goods could severely damage Pakistan’s credibility in global markets, potentially resulting in export bans, economic losses for farmers, and risks to consumer health. Senior officials emphasize that an independent inquiry committee, forensic audit, witness protection, and merit-based appointments are crucial to overcome this crisis.
The question remains whether the state will actually confront this institutional corruption or if, like in the past, this case will end up buried in files.
Meanwhile, industrialists and traders across Pakistan told Tijarat News that the business community feels abandoned and that ongoing irregularities in DPP have made it nearly impossible to operate in Pakistan.
Industrialists revealed that they met with the current DG of DPP and disclosed that a high-level meeting at the Prime Minister’s House on October 16, 2025, decided that all date-palm consignments from that day forward would be processed under new policies and regulations. Traders questioned why, after this meeting, all containers at Karachi Port were held following the revised letter issued on December 23, 2025, and whether containers released between October 16 and December 23 were legal. They also asked on what legal grounds the current containers were held.
They further inquired why containers already at Karachi Port before October 16 were being held, despite clear instructions from the Prime Minister’s House that all goods should be cleared under the new policy. They also questioned the parties responsible for goods released between October 16 and December 23, and under which rules and regulations the releases were made.
Despite contacting the DG, Deputy Director, and port officials, the industrialists and traders said none of the officials were willing to respond, leaving them uncertain whether to continue their business or close it permanently.
They also alleged that goods cleared through PCSI-R Lahore over the past few months were processed easily if officials were paid bribes, while those who refused were still stranded. They mentioned that the DG’s personal assistant, Shoaib Farooq, is forcing traders to pay arbitrary bribes.
Industrialists and traders appealed to Field Marshal Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to appoint a honest and experienced DG in the Department of Plant Protection, warning that otherwise Pakistan’s trade could face catastrophic consequences.
