ISLAMABAD: Senator Aimal Wali Khan on Wednesday made some appalling claims during a high-level food security meeting, leaving participants recoiling in disbelief and calling for stringent measures to halt such malpractices immediately. His disturbing revelations came to the fore during a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on National Food Security, chaired by Senator Syed Masroor Hassan, to address challenges in the country's basmati rice exports to the European Union (EU). During the session, the Awami National Party (ANP) senator claimed that plastic rice and meat from donkeys, dogs and frogs were being sold in Pakistan, lamenting the absence of effective food quality checks. The senator also cited a report claiming that only 22% of the milk sold in the country was genuine, while the remaining 78% was chemically produced and fake. The Senate body formed a sub-committee tasked with drafting a comprehensive food safety policy. Officials from the Ministry of National Food Security & Research (MNFS&R) revealed that 107 consignments of rice sent to the EU had faced objections, with 10,300 shipments exported until 2024. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has registered 17 FIRs against officials and employees over alleged mismanagement in rice exports. Of these, 11 suspects are in custody, two are absconding, and four are on bail, according to MNFS&R officials. Senator Aimal criticised food security officials for failing to prevent consignment rejections. “Why does fungus develop on shipments cleared for export?” questioned Aimal, slamming the inefficiencies in the export process. Another committee member, Senator Dinesh Kumar, raised alarms over the absence of a comprehensive food safety policy, a concern echoed by the Secretary of National Food Security. The committee also deliberated on the recovery of cotton cess, with Federal Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain reporting that Rs3.2 billion in cess remained unpaid since 2016. “The All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) claims they lack funds to pay the cess,” said the minister, adding that a policy for recovery would be proposed after consultations with the prime minister. Officials noted that "pressure from the committee has resulted in monthly cess collections of Rs30 million." However, they called for non-payment of cotton cess to be classified as a non-bailable offence. The committee has summoned APTMA representatives for the next meeting to resolve the issue.