PM directs comprehensive reforms to modernise agriculture sector

Newspaper, Regional, Lahore, National, Headlines. Shehbaz Sharif chairs session to review flood damages in monsoon rains.

Key points

• Federal Ministers Ahsan Khan Cheema, Azam Nazeer Tarar and Rana Tanveer Hussain, and Prime Minister's Coordinator for Agriculture Ahmed Umair attended the session.
• The session was informed that implementation of priority measures under the Agriculture Innovation and Expansion Plan 2026-27 had been accelerated.
• Key initiatives include Kisan Ghar refinance, crop insurance, electronic warehouse receipt financing, farm machinery financing and the Prime Minister's National District Development Programme.
• The session was briefed on the impact of the 2026 monsoon and progress on relief operations being carried out by the provinces and the NDMA.
• Shehbaz Sharif remarked providing all feasible backing to small and medium-scale farmers to rise per-acre productivity was among the government's top priorities.

LAHORE – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday directed the greater activation of agricultural research institutions to promote the development of the country's agriculture sector and bring research activities in line with international standards.

Meanwhile, the prime minister chaired a session to review agricultural sector reforms and progress on administration policy measures aimed at increasing agricultural productivity and supporting farmers. LHC overturns 14-year sentence, acquits man in hashish case.

Shehbaz Sharif remarked providing all feasible backing to small and medium-scale farmers to rise per-acre productivity was among the government's top priorities. He directed that certified firms ensure the provision of quality seeds to farmers. He additionally ordered the preparation of a comprehensive national system for estimating crop production in consultation with all stakeholders. He stressed that small and medium-scale farmers should fully benefit from administration reforms aimed at introducing innovation in agriculture.

In practice, the prime minister directed authorities to create full apply of the experience of students who returned last year after receiving agricultural training in China. He further directed that merit and transparency be given the highest priority in selecting students for agricultural training in China this year. The prime minister approved reforms at the National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC) and directed their early completion. He additionally ordered that the NARC and the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council be produced more effective and brought in line with international standards. Uzbekistan's Role in the SCO: Economy, Security and Regional Cooperation.

As well as wheat demand, cultivated area and estimates for the production of the upcoming crop, the session was briefed by the Ministry of National Food Security and Research on progress in implementing agricultural sector reforms.

Meanwhile, the session was informed that implementation of priority measures under the Agriculture Innovation and Expansion Plan 2026-27 had been accelerated. The plan focuses on financial facilitation for farmers, provision of agricultural machinery, modern technology and digitalisation, research and capacity building, and food security. 11 terrorists killed in fresh security operations in KP, Balochistan.

Meanwhile, the session was additionally informed that modern technology and artificial intelligence were being prioritised in agriculture. Progress was under way on the Pakistan Tobacco Board Automation Project, a crop assessment programme through SUPARCO and an AI-based application for identifying pests and plants. A number of short-term initiatives have already entered the implementation phase. Pakistan calls for end to Israeli occupation, settlement expansion in Palestine.

For context, the session was further briefed on measures to promote organic agriculture to boost exports and rural incomes. As pilot areas for organic production, formulating a national organic policy and standards, introducing group certification and establishing a digital traceability system, work is progressing on developing selected agricultural clusters in Balochistan, including cotton and dates.

Meanwhile, the administration is additionally working to integrate research, certification, storage, processing and access to international markets to strengthen the value chains and export potential of local agricultural commodities and growth farmers' incomes.

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Regarding the new NARC master plan, the session was informed that the centre was being divided into seven districts to bring it in line with international requirements. The plan envisages five centres of excellence, reference laboratories, a biorepository, new research centres, including a research park for the private sector, a centre for international cooperation, a living laboratory and a public discovery park.

For context, the prime minister approved the master plan and directed that its implementation be completed at the earliest.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Prime Minister's Adviser Muhammad Ali, Minister of State Bilal Azhar Kayani, Special Assistant Tariq Bajwa and senior relevant authorities participated in the gathering via video link.

Additionally, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday directed the provision of financial assistance to families affected by the recent rains and floods, including the families of those who lost their lives and owners of houses damaged by the floods.

Notably, the prime minister chaired a session on the recent monsoon rains and the damage caused by them, where he directed that financial assistance be provided to the families of all those who died in the floods. He additionally ordered financial assistance for owners of houses that were completely or partially damaged by rains and floods.

For context, the prime minister directed the authorities to complete the restoration of electricity transmission systems and roads in flood-affected areas at the earliest.

He instructed the relevant federal ministers and secretaries to visit the affected areas, personally assess the damage and ensure that rehabilitation work was introduced without delay.

He additionally directed that relief operations in the affected areas be further accelerated and food items and other relief supplies be delivered as shortly as feasible to areas where aid had not yet reached due to accessibility matters.

For context, the prime minister further directed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and provincial disaster management authorities to remain fully prepared for relief operations in view of the projected rains and floods.

Notably, the session was briefed on the impact of the 2026 monsoon and progress on relief operations being carried out by the provinces and the NDMA.

It was informed that flood victims in all affected areas of the country had been shifted to safe locations in a timely manner. Teams of the NDMA and provincial disaster management authorities were additionally ready to assist the public in case of further rains and flooding.

While further measures were being taken to send extra relief goods, according to the briefing, a total of 615 tonnes of relief supplies had so far been dispatched to areas affected by monsoon rains nationwide.

In practice, the session was informed that rehabilitation and restoration of infrastructure in rain- and flood-affected areas of Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir were progressing rapidly.

Early warning systems were additionally operational in the northern areas, the gathering was informed. The systems had enabled the timely evacuation of a number of citizens to safe locations before the floods.

Federal Ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Ahad Khan Cheema, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Moeen Wattoo, Dr Musadik Masood Malik and Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari, chief secretaries of the four provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, NDMA Chairman Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik and senior authorities of relevant departments attended the gathering.

Taken together, the developments around PM directs comprehensive reforms to modernise agriculture sector point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.