PM Shehbaz approves restructuring of Pakistan Agricultural Research Council

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday gave the green light for the restructuring of the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) under a plan aimed at aligning the national agenda with export targets and food security objectives.

The approval was granted during a meeting chaired by the prime minister in Islamabad to discuss matters related to PARC, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).

Comprehensive roadmap directed

The PMO statement said that PM Shehbaz directed the Ministry of National Food Security and Research to prepare a comprehensive roadmap for the implementation of the reorganisation plan, including a clear timeline for its execution.

The prime minister further directed that PARC should be developed in line with research being carried out on agriculture by the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), the statement added.

Research central to agriculture development

The PMO statement quoted PM Shehbaz as emphasising that research plays a central role in the development of the country's agriculture sector and food security.

Under the restructuring plan, the reorganisation envisions bringing PARC's operations and research priorities into closer alignment with Pakistan's broader goals of boosting agricultural exports and ensuring food security for the nation.

The decision to restructure PARC reflects the government's focus on modernising the country's agricultural research infrastructure and drawing on international best practices, particularly from China's agricultural research model, to strengthen Pakistan's farming sector.

The prime minister's directive to the food security ministry to develop an implementation roadmap with specific timelines signals an intent to move forward with the restructuring in an organised and time-bound manner.

PARC, which serves as the apex national body for agricultural research coordination in Pakistan, has long been tasked with conducting and promoting research across various agricultural disciplines. The restructuring plan is expected to redefine its role and operational framework to better serve current national priorities in the agriculture sector.

PM Shehbaz Sharif approved the restructuring of PARC to align with export targets and food security goals, directing a comprehensive implementation roadmap with a timeline.