The body is set to be transformed into a top-tier research institution, backed by a comprehensive plan to drive innovation, academic excellence, and global collaboration
By Asghar Ali Mubarak
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has given the green light for a fundamental restructuring of the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC). The decision came during a high-level meeting on food security portfolio matters chaired by the premier in Islamabad.
The meeting brought together the heavyweights of the government’s economic team. Federal ministers Ishaq Dar, Ahad Cheema, Rana Tanveer Hussain, and Musadik Malik were in attendance. Prime Minister’s adviser Rana Sanaullah also joined the deliberations, alongside Minister of State Bilal Azhar Kayani.
The prime minister’s coordinators, Haroon Akhtar and Tariq Bajwa, completed the roster of officials present. Sources familiar with the proceedings said the discussion focused on the urgent need to revitalize the country’s agricultural research capacity. The council has long been seen as underperforming, with critics pointing to outdated facilities and a disconnect from the practical needs of farmers.
The prime minister made clear his expectations for the overhaul. He directed officials to prepare a comprehensive plan with a clear timeline for implementation. The objective, he said, was to transform PARC into a premier research institution for agricultural studies.
Agricultural research plays a key role in the promotion of agriculture and food security sectors, PM Shehbaz told those assembled. His remarks underscored the strategic importance the government now attaches to the proposed reforms. Food security has emerged as a pressing concern, with global supply chains under strain and climate change disrupting traditional growing patterns.
The restructuring is expected to address multiple shortcomings. These include bureaucratic inefficiencies, a lack of modern equipment, and insufficient collaboration with international research bodies. There is also a recognized need to align research priorities with the actual challenges confronting Pakistani farmers, from water scarcity to pest management.
Officials familiar with the plan said it would likely involve changes to the council’s governance structure. The aim is to make it more responsive to the needs of the agricultural sector. Performance metrics for researchers and a greater emphasis on practical, field-level outcomes are also under consideration. The decision reflects the government’s focus on modernizing agricultural research infrastructure.
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