The National Assembly will initiate an exclusive debate on Pakistan’s agro-economy from Wednesday. National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser stated that agriculture is and will remain central to Pakistan’s economic development in the foreseeable future and it is vital to hold an informed debate to identify the pathways for uplifting Pakistan’s agro-economy with a particular focus on access, inclusivity, sustainability and food security. He urged the members of treasury and opposition benches to discuss agro-economy as a matter of national food security, decent economic growth and poverty alleviation beyond party politics.
On the other hand, the speaker has also convened a national dialogue on agriculture on March 12 at Serena Hotel, which will be attended by members of parliament, representatives of provinces, private sector representatives, international organizations, ambassadors, technical experts and other relevant stakeholders. The dialogue is intended to facilitate an informed debate in the National Assembly and promote policy coherence and coordination at all levels of government.
The national dialogue on agriculture aims to identify the constraints and obstacles which continue to impede progress in realizing Pakistan’s full agricultural potential. The dialogue is part of the endeavors of the National Assembly’s special committee on agricultural products to assist in accelerating the national agricultural growth rate. Outlining the aims of dialogue, Asad Qaiser stated that policy dialogue, coherence and coordination is vital to building political momentum for necessary reforms and policy shifts in the agriculture sector of Pakistan. He said the dialogue has been convened to identify short and long-term policy measures to effectively address structural constraints and market failures.
Asad Qaiser, who heads the National Assembly Special Committee on Agricultural Products, underlined the need for improving farmers’ profitability, improving national agricultural output and identifying the pathways for enhancing Pakistan’s agricultural export value and competitiveness. He invited experts, relevant international agencies, practitioners and officials from around the country to deliberate on agriculture. He vowed that the National Assembly will orchestrate meaningful debates on all other national priorities in the days ahead.
