ISLAMABAD: A parliamentarian on Wednesday revealed that an amount of Rs0.6 million from the national exchequer was spent on a meeting of every Senate standing committee, lamenting that such expenditures are wasted because of officials’ lack of preparedness.
Senator Danesh Kumar said this before the Senate Standing Committee on National Food Security and Research, which met with Senator Syed Mansoor Ahsanin the chair. The meeting was informed that Ministry of National Food Security and Research (MNFS&R) has not submitted the draft of proposed Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) projects for the upcoming financial year 2026-27 as it yet not finalized despite the expiry of January 31 deadline for submission before the committee.
Senator Kumar said that as a lawmaker, he travelled from his constituencies at public expense to attend the meeting to review PSDP proposals and to suggest recommendations in the public interest. However, he noted, the main agenda — budgetary proposals related to the PSDP — could not be discussed as the ministry had not finalized the document.
“He will receive Rs200,000 as TA/DA, and over Rs0.6 million is spent on a meeting where the primary agenda related budgetary proposals regarding PDSD for the financial year 2026-27could not even be taken up as the relevant ministry has not finalised it”, he said.
Addressing Minister of State for MNFS&R Malik Rasheed Ahmed Khan, Kumar said the responsibility for failing to present the PSDP before the committee rests with the ministry. He called for an immediate inquiry to determine why the draft had not been prepared and submitted on time, warning that the committee would move a privilege motion if action was not taken against those responsible.
Committee expressed displeasure over the MNFS&R for not submitting the proposed PSDP projects for the upcoming financial year 2026-27 despite the expiry of the stipulated time on January 31.
Chairman Ahsan pointed out that January 31 was the stipulated deadline for submitting PSDP proposals for review, yet the ministry had not presented them even by February 11.
The state minister assured the committee that the PSDP would be submitted before the next meeting.
The committee also voiced concern over the late circulation of working papers. The Chairman directed that working papers be submitted well in advance of meetings and deferred further deliberations, instructing the Ministry to finalize the PSDP proposals before the next meeting.
The acting DG of the newly set up National Agri-Trade and FOOD Safety Authority (NAFSA) briefed the committee about working and performance of the authority. Expressing concern over ad hoc appointments in senior management, the committee stressed the urgent need to appoint the Board of Governors, DG, and other staff on a regular basis.
The committee was informed that temporary appointments had been made to operationalize the authority and that the process for regular appointments would be completed soon. The Chairman directed that provincial quotas be ensured in NAFSA appointments and emphasized expediting the process to make the Authority fully functional.
The Committee was further briefed on the “Thar Community Actions for the Management of Sustainable Ecosystem, Livestock and Livelihood (Thar CAMELL)” project, proposed for inclusion in the next PSDP. Highlighting the delayed inclusion of the project, the committee noted its importance for gene conservation of indigenous livestock and establishment of diagnostic laboratories in Tharparkar.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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