ISLAMABAD: The governing body of the Pakistan Central Cotton Committee (PCCC) met on Tuesday after a lapse of two years, which speaks volume about the government’s seriousness towards the cash crop -- the country’s agriculture mainstay.

This was not enough, senior provincial representatives also skipped the meeting which was chaired by Minister for National Food Security and Research Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan.

The minister expressed his utter displeasure for holding the meeting after a gap of two years, and asked the secretary of the PCCC to call an explanation of the members absent from the meeting which was held after a long delay.

“Cotton crop is a pivotal entity and a backbone of our national economy. Neglect in attending official affairs relevant to cotton growing, picking and production is unacceptable, especially on part of provincial government superiors,” Mr Bosan observed.

Private audit under the PPRA Rules and inquiry on condition of Sakrand facility, among other issues, were discussed at length during the meeting.

The minister directed to take strict action against the director Agricultural Research Sub-committee (ARSC) for not submitting the report.

Mr Bosan directed to form a committee to look into the matter of bale weight as per international practice. It has been brought to his notice that the international set practice is to export cotton bale of 170kg. However, some factions in cotton export sector have been providing bales with 150kg to 160kg.

This erroneous and bad-intended practice will ultimately malign the whole sector on international level. The minister took notice of this matter and directed the committee to submit its report in next meeting to be held before end of this calendar year.

The meeting reviewed the committee’s three-year performance (2013-16).

Published in Dawn, August 31st, 2016