The implementation of the new procedure for cashew imports could not be carried out, and the names of the officers involved have been identified.
According to reliable sources shared with Trade News, despite several months having passed, the newly approved procedure for importing cashew from Indonesia has not been implemented. Meanwhile, significant administrative irregularities and obstacles in the pre-export inspection system have been revealed.
Sources stated that the Plant Protection Advisor and Director General have submitted a detailed preliminary report to the Ministry of National Food Security and Research, which also identified the responsible officers. According to the report, during a meeting of the Ministry of Commerce and its sub-committee on August 25, 2025, the entire cashew supply chain was reviewed. The consensus among the participants was that, to avoid conflicting laboratory reports, delays during transportation at ports, and legal disputes, cashew imports should be linked to a pre-shipment inspection (PSI) system and an international offshore verification system before export.
Following this decision, the Department of Plant Protection (DPP) developed a comprehensive new procedure for cashew imports on September 29, 2025. This procedure was aligned with the Pakistan Plant Quarantine Rules 2019, the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), and the Import Policy Order 2022. The procedure clearly stated that every consignment of cashew would undergo pre-shipment inspection by accredited institutions in the exporting country, and only consignments verified by ISO-approved laboratories would be allowed into Pakistan. Additionally, registration of exporters and packing units would be mandatory. Modern packing, labeling, and track-and-trace systems would be implemented, and the clearance process would be automated and transparent through Pakistan Single Window (PSW).
Sources further stated that after the Director General of DPP assumed charge on October 10, 2025, it was revealed that the notification issued by the department on October 17, 2025, deviated from the ministry-approved policy by including mandatory laboratory tests and re-testing. This rendered the pre-shipment inspection system ineffective and made clearance via the digital iRAMS system impossible.
According to the report, Dr. Muhammad Basit and Muhammad Umar not only opposed the concept of pre-shipment inspection and offshore verification but also made changes to files that hindered the implementation of the new import procedure. These actions caused delays in establishing a risk-based, automated, and transparent system for cashew imports.
The report also revealed that due to previous policies of the same officers, testing for pesticides in Pakistan’s mango exports to Indonesia increased from 8 to 24 types, and unnecessary delays occurred in agricultural and plant agreements with other countries as well.
In light of this situation, administrative changes were made in the Department of Plant Protection on October 31, 2025. However, some officers and their teams continued to obstruct reform measures, leading the matter to reach the courts.
The report stated that Pakistan Customs was informed on December 16, 2025, that all goods declarations for cashew imports would now be filed through Pakistan Single Window, and the manual clearance system has been discontinued. Authorities said that, after consultations with the relevant Indonesian plant authorities and pre-shipment inspection agencies, full implementation of the new import procedure will commence very soon.
