ISLAMABAD: Law­ma­kers on Thurs­day called for stringent checks on domestic ghee and vegetable oil manufacturers to discourage monopolistic trends and reduce the country’s heavy reliance on palm oil imports.

During a meeting at the Parliament Ho­­use, the Se­­nate Standing Committee on National Food Security and Research war­ned that immediate regulatory intervention was required to ensure a level playing field in the local edible oil industry.

Minister for National Food Security and Resea­rch Rana Tanveer Hussain also briefed the committee on olive cultivation and production. He said Pakistan had made significant progress in olive production, had become a permanent member of the International Olive Coun­cil and had received four international awards.

Balochistan was identified as the country’s largest olive-producing province.

The ministry also brie­fed the committee on dec­lining wheat and rice yie­lds. The minister identified the use of uncertified seeds, inadequate fertiliser and climate change as major factors affecting production.

He said the government had introduced reforms in the agriculture sector, while banks had been directed to enhance financing and facilitate the provision of modern machinery to farmers. He added that measures were being taken to ensure the availability of quality seeds.

The managing director of the Pakistan Tobacco Board (PTB) briefed the committee on the regulatory status of tobacco cultivation. He said tobacco cultivation was regulated under the 1968 Ordinance and subsidiary rules framed in 2016.

Senator Aimal Wali Khan argued that tobacco should be declared a crop rather than a commodity to ensure greater benefits for growers. He also expressed concern over unsold tobacco lying in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The committee recommended that tobacco be declared a crop and that a policy be formulated to protect the interests of tobacco growers. A subcommittee was constituted to examine the matter and submit its recommendations.

The director general of the Depart­ment of Live­stock briefed the committee on VRI vaccination for cattle. Senator Aimal Wali Khan raised concerns over the effectiveness and regulatory status of the vaccine, stating that cattle vaccinated with VRI had contracted Hae­morrhagic Septicaemia (HS).

Published in Dawn, September 18th, 2026