ISLAMABAD: A powerful lobby within the Ministry of National Food Security and Research (MNFSR) appears to be openly defying both the judiciary and parliament by refusing to appoint a lawful Director General of the Department of Plant Protection (DPP), despite a categorical court order and strong recommendations of the Senate Standing Committee on Food Security.
The Sindh High Court, in its ruling on September 18, 2025, set aside the appointment of Mr. Tahir Abbas, a BS-19 Customs cadre officer, declaring his posting as DG DPP illegal due to lack of the required qualifications and expertise. The court directed that the senior-most technical director, be appointed as Plant Protection Adviser and DG in line with departmental rules.
However, officials confirm that Mr. Abbas continues to operate from the DG’s office and remains active in official matters. When asked, Secretary MNFSR Ameer Mohyuddin admitted that Abbas “does not hold the post as per court order,” but in a startling admission added: “He was with me in the PM House yesterday.” The secretary offered no explanation as to under what authority the removed officer was accompanying him to meetings with the Prime Minister.
The Senate Standing Committee on Food Security, chaired by Senator Syed Masroor Ahsan, expressed outrage last week after discovering that the ministry had not complied with the court order. Senators were stunned when Mr. Abbas appeared in the committee room, introducing himself as DG DPP in open contempt of court. The Chairman immediately ordered him to leave the meeting and report to his parent department.
Lawmakers denounced the ministry’s conduct as a direct challenge to both judicial authority and legislative oversight. “The order is crystal clear. Any further defiance may invite contempt proceedings against those responsible,” warned Senator Aimal Wali Khan, waving a copy of the judgment. Senator Saleem Mandviwala alleged that senior technical directors had been made scapegoats to protect favorites and demanded a subcommittee to investigate forced retirements and irregular appointments.
The DPP, Pakistan’s National Plant Protection Organization under the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), requires its DG to be a qualified technical expert in pest management, quarantine, and sanitary and phytosanitary measures. Yet for decades, successive governments have posted non-technical bureaucrats to the position, a practice widely blamed for inefficiency, corruption, and the decline of agricultural trade.
Sources within MNFSR claim that a group of officials at the ministry, who enjoys support from officials at PM House are actually defying the court order by pushing to install their favored officer, Muhammad Basit, a BS-18 Deputy Director, as DG DPP. Basit already holds multiple “look-after” charges of director-level posts, raising concerns over legality and conflict of interest.
Exporters and farmers have voiced alarm, warning that the uncertainty at DPP is damaging trade. Shipments of rice, corn, sesame, and mangoes to international markets have reportedly declined due to weak regulatory oversight. Wheat shortfalls, compounded by recent floods, have further aggravated food security risks. For now, the court’s directive remains unimplemented, the Senate’s warning ignored, and the DPP’s affairs still influenced by a man the court declared unfit for the job.
