SPECIAL REPORT
ISLAMABAD: Allegations of fraudulent practices and corruption have surfaced in the re-accreditation process of M/s Al-Abbas Agro Care Fumigation Company, raising serious concerns about the Department of Plant Protection (DPP).
In separate letters to Rana Tanvir Hussain, Minister for National Food Security and Research, citizens including Mr. Abdul Manan from Mansehra and Mr. Ehtisham from Karachi, have highlighted irregularities in the audit that led to the re-accreditation of M/s Al-Abbas Agro Care, Karachi.
The letters allege that the re-accreditation was granted based on false information and forged documents, allegedly orchestrated by a London-based clearing agent, Mr. Israr Khan. Khan, along with his son Hanzala Khan, is accused of involvement in various illegal activities, including smuggling, document fabrication, and money laundering. They reportedly manipulated DPP auditors by exploiting connections within the Ministry of National Food Security and the Prime Minister’s Office to escape scrutiny.
Mr. Manan’s letter points to Khan’s past, claiming he was dismissed from a position as a computer operator in the Assistant Statistics Office in Mardan, KPK, for fabricating official documents. Despite his notorious history, Khan is alleged to maintain undue influence over DPP officials, raising concerns about the department’s credibility.
The letter calls for a thorough physical inspection of M/s Al-Abbas Agro Care’s infrastructure, equipment, and staff. It claims that the previous audit committee included officials accused in a separate corruption case related to a contaminated soybean shipment. Among those named are Mr. Umar Farooq, Entomologist, and Dr. Muhammad Basit, Deputy Director of Quarantine Operations, who are reportedly close to Khan.
Additionally, the letter accuses Mr. Muhammad Umer Rathore, another DPP official, of complicity in submitting the company’s fraudulent accreditation documents. It further asserts that M/s Al-Abbas Agro Care lacks the necessary equipment and trained operators for proper fumigation, casting doubt on the legitimacy of its operations.
The letters also implicate other companies, such as Ahmad and Kamran Traders, in obtaining accreditation through falsified audit reports. These companies are accused of issuing fake treatment certificates and releasing contaminated consignments without proper disinfestation, posing a significant threat to Pakistan’s agriculture and public health.
Further allegations claim that Mr. Israr Khan has a familial connection with Mr. Muhammad Qasim Khan Kakar, Director of Admin at DPP, whose deputation from Balochistan Agriculture Research Institute was allegedly facilitated by Khan in violation of civil service rules.
The letters criticize the placement of non-technical staff in sensitive DPP roles such as quarantine, locust surveillance, and pesticide registration, alleging that many of these officials hold fake qualifications. It is claimed that these misassignments contributed to the severe locust plague that devastated Pakistan’s agricultural sector in 2020 and 2021.
Additionally, sources reveal that Mr. Kakar has been involved in leaking official records to Mr. Khan and other clearing agents, using the information for blackmail. Several other officials are named in connection with corruption, harassment, and the sale of official documents.
Mr. Ehtisham, in his letter, urges the minister to take immediate action to safeguard the integrity of Pakistan’s plant quarantine system. He calls for an investigation into Mr. Kakar’s role in leaking sensitive information and demands that the DPP halt the re-accreditation of the implicated fumigation companies until a surprise audit can be conducted.
