KARACHI: The Government of Pakistan established the Department of Plant Protection (DPP) as the National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO) under its obligations to the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC). The department’s main goal is to prevent the introduction and spread of harmful pests in Pakistan and other countries through the trade of agricultural commodities. The DPP is responsible for plant protection, pesticide importation, aerial spray, plant quarantine, and locust control, as well as managing locust warning organizations under Article 23(7) of the Rules of Business, 1973 (amended up to 2021). As per IPPC guidelines and Pakistan Plant Quarantine Rules 2019 (PPQR), technically qualified officers with degrees in Entomology, Plant Pathology, or equivalent qualifications must be appointed in DPP. Federal government rules specify these technical qualifications for appointments, promotions, and transfers within the department.
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However, the DPP has been neglected by successive governments, with non-technical officials—many holding fake certificates—running critical operations. The Ministry of National Food Security and Research (MNFSR) has frequently appointed inexperienced and favored officials on deputation, violating Rule 20A of the Pakistan Civil Servant Rules, leading to the department’s decline.One notable case is that of **Allah Yar**, a Grade 5 Lab Assistant who held key technical positions from 2014 to 2021 as in-charge of quarantine at Jinnah International Airport, Karachi, and at seaports, in violation of IPPC standards. During his tenure, Allah Yar amassed significant wealth, including multi-story flats, a bird and cattle farm, houses in posh areas, plots in high-end societies, a water filtration plant, and a flour mill in his village. He is accused of selling outdated fee challans at half price to fumigators and agents, causing significant financial losses to the national exchequer. He has also allegedly engaged in illegal activities such as accepting bribes, releasing infested consignments, issuing shipments without import permits or phytosanitary certificates, and forging laboratory reports.Allah Yar is notorious for his involvement in criminal activities, including the kidnapping of women, harassment of female officers, selling narcotics (charas) and liquor at the office, and theft cases in Karachi, Rahim Yar Khan, Khanewal, and Peshawar. He is also accused of selling classified documents to agents and fumigators and operating grocery and fruit shops where he sold food inspection samples.**Rashid Siraj**, a Grade 11 Locust Assistant, is another corrupt non-technical official. Appointed in 2009, Siraj introduced an informal billing system to collect bribes from clearing agents and fumigators. He also brokered deals for senior officers and was involved in selling pesticides intended for locust control to private fumigators. Alongside Dr. Muhammad Basit, Deputy Director of Locust, Siraj sold classified files and arranged bribes for personal gains, including paying for his daughter’s education at an expensive Karachi college. Siraj was jailed in 2019 after being caught accepting a bribe for releasing an infested soybean vessel, with his jail expenses covered by private fumigation companies. His corrupt activities led to bans from Russia and Mexico due to the release of infested rice and chili shipments.The corruption extends further within the DPP. **Dr. Muhammad Basit**, Deputy Director of Locust, is accused of multiple corrupt activities, including leaving his post in Lodhran due to a corruption investigation and remaining in Bahawalpur on a political posting to teach at Islamia University while being absent from his DPP duties. **Israr Khan**, **Ahmad Yar Kakar**, and **Umer Rathore** have been linked to the illegal creation of fumigation companies using fabricated documents and manipulating the DPP’s administrative processes. Israr Khan, who claims connections to high-level government officials, has been accused of bribing his cousin’s appointment to the post of Director Admin, despite his lack of relevant qualifications. His cousin, Qasim Kakar, has been involved in embezzlement and theft at the Agriculture Research Institute in Balochistan and is now attempting to secure senior positions within the DPP.The pervasive corruption within the Department of Plant Protection has not only damaged the institution but also caused severe losses to the country’s agricultural sector and international trade relations. Report by The Breaking News (Issue 898,1–1999 dated September 10, 2024)kp
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