Islamabad, Jan 18, 2026 — The government has begun implementing wide-ranging digital and regulatory reforms in the food and agriculture sector, aiming to improve transparency, reduce corruption and strengthen oversight of imports, exports and domestic supply chains, the Ministry of National Food Security and Research said on Saturday.
In a statement, the ministry said it had fully automated 22 out of 31 registrations, licences, certificates and permits under its remit, marking a significant step towards digital governance. The reforms have been introduced across six attached departments dealing with plants, animals and seeds, reducing human intervention and improving traceability in regulatory processes.
Officials said the measures were designed to limit discretionary powers, close systemic loopholes and make decision-making more transparent and verifiable, in line with Pakistan’s broader digitalisation agenda.
Federal Minister for National Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain said the reforms focused on rule-based systems, measurable performance and stronger coordination between institutions. “Digitalisation is helping ensure accountability while improving service delivery to farmers, traders and exporters,” he said.
As part of the overhaul, the Department of Plant Protection has been modernised, with enhanced laboratory capacity, stricter operational controls and alignment with international phytosanitary standards. The ministry said these steps were aimed at strengthening biosecurity and safeguarding Pakistan’s export reputation in global markets.
The ministry also revised import conditions for methyl bromide on scientific grounds, a move that it said had reduced costs for importers. Savings of around Rs30,000 to Rs40,000 per container have been reported for commodities such as cotton, grains and pulses.
In one case, an internal review and third-party verification identified suspected irregularities in methyl bromide imports. The licence of the company involved was suspended, and four consignments worth about $1 million were stopped at ports before customs clearance in coordination with Pakistan Customs. Disciplinary proceedings have also been initiated against those found responsible.
To protect export standards, the ministry has adopted a zero-tolerance policy on sanitary and phytosanitary violations. Under stricter monitoring and traceability systems, three consignments totalling 6.2 metric tonnes of mangoes sent to Norway were seized after officials found they did not meet mandatory requirements. Penalties were imposed and the exporters barred temporarily from overseas shipments.
Reforms have also been extended to the wheat sector, where standard operating procedures have been tightened, documentation verification improved and provincial data-sharing strengthened. Officers have been deployed at key checkpoints to curb the movement of fake consignments.
In the seed sector, authorities have intensified action against counterfeit and unverified products. So far, 392 companies have been blacklisted for selling fake seeds, according to the ministry. Progress is also under way on establishing a National Seed Development and Regulatory Authority, alongside the introduction of performance-based licensing.
Oversight of the sugar sector has been enhanced through cost reviews, joint action against hoarding and imports to stabilise supply. The ministry said it was also considering partial deregulation, while maintaining safeguards for small farmers and low-income consumers.
The ministry said the guiding principle of the reform strategy was to make corruption more difficult and accountability easier. Officials added that the changes were essential to protecting food security, farmers’ rights, export credibility and transparent governance, while supporting Pakistan’s transition towards a more digital, data-driven public sector.
