National Agri-trade and Food Safety Authority (NAFSA) is a statutory body created to oversee food safety and agricultural trade in Pakistan. It ensures compliance with sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures and international standards, aligning Pakistan’s agricultural exports with global benchmarks such as Codex Alimentarius, WOAH, and IPPC..
Background.
NAFSA was established to consolidate and modernize food safety and trade regulation, addressing outdated legislation. It replaces the following laws:
Objectives.
The primary objectives of NAFSA include:
Structure and governance.
NAFSA, a corporate body with nationwide authority, is led by a Prime Minister–appointed Board of Governors and a Director General, supported by scientific, advisory, complaint, and appellate committees to ensure effective regulation and oversight.
Key functions.
Enforce SPS compliance across trade.
NAFSA officers can inspect, sample, seize, or destroy non-compliant products.
Funding.
NAFSA Fund includes:
The fund is subject to annual audits by the Auditor General of Pakistan and independent accountants.
Offences and penalties.
Violations include import of banned goods, forgery, or unsafe products. Penalties range from:
Cases are handled by the Court of Sessions upon official complaint.
Coordination with provincial governments.
NAFSA collaborates with provincial governments by:
Transition and repeal.
Department of Plant Protection and Animal Quarantine Department will be dissolved. Their assets and employees will transfer to NAFSA, with a six-month transition period for staff adjustment. These departments may continue limited functions temporarily.
Significance.
NAFSA represents a unified, science-driven approach to agricultural trade and food safety in Pakistan. It strengthens regulatory oversight, aligns domestic practices with international standards, and promotes Pakistan’s global competitiveness in agricultural markets.
Controversy over appointment of director general.
On May 8, 2025, a constitutional petition (C.P. No. D-1837 of 2025) was filed in the Sindh High Court challenging the appointment of Tahir Abbas, a BS-19 Customs officer, as Director General (BS-20) of the National Agri-trade and Food Safety Authority (NAFSA). The petition, submitted by Advocate Rashid Mahar, argues the appointment violates merit, service rules, and a prior court judgment dated April 9, 2024, which emphasized seniority and qualifications for technical posts. It also cites S.R.O. 1332(1)/2021, which outlines eligibility criteria for the DG role, including a B.Sc. (Hons) in Agriculture with specialization and 17 years of relevant experience. The court has issued notices to respondents, and a hearing is scheduled for May 16, 2025.