During a critical meeting on food security, Senator Aimal Wali Khan shocked participants with alarming claims about food safety and regulations in Pakistan.
The session, held by the Senate Standing Committee on National Food Security, was led by Senator Syed Masroor Hassan and aimed to address the challenges facing basmati rice exports to the European Union (EU).
The senator claimed that plastic rice and meat from donkeys, dogs, and frogs are being sold in Pakistan, citing the lack of proper food quality checks. He also revealed that only 22% of milk sold in Pakistan is genuine, with the remaining 78% being chemically altered.
In response, the committee established a sub-committee to draft a food safety policy. The Ministry of National Food Security & Research (MNFS&R) disclosed that 107 rice shipments to the EU had been rejected, with 10,300 total exports in 2024.
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has filed 17 FIRs related to mismanagement in rice exports, with several arrests made.
Aimal Wali criticized the food security officials for failing to prevent consignment rejections, while Senator Dinesh Kumar echoed concerns over the lack of a comprehensive food safety policy. The committee also discussed unpaid cotton cess, with plans for recovery pending further consultations.