Govt, FAO join forces to enhance food safety in Pakistan
Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has taken a significant step toward strengthening its food safety and quality regulatory regime with the launching of a comprehensive food control system assessment. A function was held in this regard at a local hotel here the other day in which government officials, FAO staff and other relevant people participated.
The initiative, requested by the Government of Pakistan will be facilitated by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in collaboration with the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, and co-leadership of the Ministry of National Food Security and Research.
It aims to establish a picture of how the competent authorities in Pakistan operate. The initiative will gather all the relevant stakeholders involved in the food control system and engage them in an evidence-based process, resulting in detailed recommendations for improvement and a strategic plan for food control. This will provide decision-makers with a valuable resource for future policy-making decisions.
The Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary expressed his full support for the initiative, emphasizing the importance of food safety for both public health and economic growth.
“The issue of food safety and regulation has gained global significance. Pakistan faces multiple food-related challenges, including malnutrition and foodborne diseases, particularly among children. We must assign the highest priority to food safety in Pakistan – not just for the well-being of our people but also for achieving our economic growth targets,” he stated.
He highlighted that under the ‘Uraan Pakistan’ initiative, exports will serve as a primary driver of economic growth. “Pakistan has immense potential in agriculture sector. To fully realize this potential and maximize export revenues, we must align our food safety protocols with international standards. This requires a collaborative effort between government agencies, academia, and private sector to identify regulatory gaps and implement a robust strategy,” he added.
FAO Representative in Pakistan, Florence Rolle, underscored the critical role of food safety in public health and economic development, reaffirming FAO’s commitment to supporting Pakistan in strengthening its national food control system.
“This initiative marks the beginning of a systematic approach to modernizing Pakistan’s food safety governance. The FAO/WHO Food Control System Assessment Tool will evaluate the existing system across Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to identify areas for improvement. The Government of Pakistan has co-signed this project, reinforcing its commitment to a science-based and internationally recognized food safety framework,” she said.
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