NAFSA to replace outdated plant protection regime with AI-powered digital platform

ISLAMABAD:The government is establishing a new regulatory authority to overhaul Pakistan’s agricultural trade regime, replacing the outdated Department of Plant Protection with a technology-driven single-window system designed to cut red tape and speed up clearances for importers and exporters.

The National Agri-Trade and Food Safety Authority (NAFSA) is expected to become fully operational within the next few months, with an AI-powered chatbot-enabled website, a dedicated helpline and official social media platforms to facilitate stakeholders, according to a briefing presented to Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Cheema on Monday.

Cheema chaired a meeting to review NAFSA’s progress towards becoming operational. The meeting assessed measures aimed at establishing a modern regulatory framework for agricultural trade that would strengthen food safety oversight, support ease of doing business, and streamline existing administrative processes.

The meeting was attended by Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Agriculture and Food Safety Ahmad Umair, Secretary National Food Security Amer Ali Ahmad, Director General NAFSA Imran Mohmand, and senior officials, who presented a comprehensive briefing on the Authority’s operational preparedness.

According to the briefing, NAFSA is being established as a state-of-the-art regulatory authority that will function as a single-window platform for agricultural importers and exporters, enabling faster, more efficient, and transparent processing of trade-related matters.

NAFSA is introducing a modern governance and human resource system based on merit, transparency, and professionalism. Recruitment is being carried out through an independent recruitment and scrutiny committee, with market-competitive salaries designed to attract highly qualified professionals, including experts from the private sector. Employees will be appointed on three-year contractual terms with quarterly performance evaluations. Their contracts may be renewed based on satisfactory performance; however, they will not acquire regular or permanent employment status at any stage of their service.

The NAFSA Board of Governance has been strengthened to ensure institutional autonomy, while the director general and the secretary will remain accountable to the Board. Major policy matters, including the creation of new posts and revisions in pay scales, will require approval of the federal cabinet.

The authority is currently headed by an acting director general, while recruitment for a permanent director general from the private sector is underway. No employees from the Department of Plant Protection (DPP) have been inducted, though a few will temporarily assist during the initial operational phase to ensure a smooth transition.

Newly recruited NAFSA officers are currently undergoing specialised training at the Customs Academy Karachi under the supervision of national and international experts to equip them with modern regulatory and inspection practices.

The authority will introduce a digital workflow where inspectors examine agricultural consignments without direct interaction with importers or clearing agents. Third-party audits will validate inspection reports to ensure transparency and accountability, reducing opportunities for corruption and discretionary decision-making.

Cheema said NAFSA is one of the most significant institutional reforms in Pakistan’s agriculture sector and will greatly improve the business environment for importers and exporters dealing in plants, seeds, and other agricultural products by reducing delays, removing red tape, and ensuring quality regulatory services.

The minister directed that integrity, professionalism, and strict adherence to rules and ethical standards must be ensured from the very first day of NAFSA’s operations. He also instructed authorities to actively engage agricultural traders, importers, exporters, and other stakeholders through awareness campaigns, so they are fully informed about the Authority’s services.

He expressed confidence that the Authority would play a pivotal role in modernising Pakistan’s agricultural trade regime, enhancing international confidence in the country’s regulatory system, and contributing to sustainable economic growth.