Fumi-Gate Scandal Sparks National Food Security Crisis

A recent investigative report has brought to light a growing scandal within Pakistan’s newly formed National Agri-Trade and Food Safety Authority (NAFSA), alleging that regulatory mismanagement and unlawful decision-making are severely threatening the country’s food security and agricultural trade.

Dubbed “Fumi-Gate,” the scandal centers on the abrupt curtailment of methyl bromide (MeBr) fumigation — a critical pest-control protocol for imported agricultural goods — without the endorsement of Pakistan’s legally mandated biosecurity committees. The decision, reportedly taken by an ad hoc and technically unqualified committee within NAFSA, contravenes both domestic regulations and international treaty obligations under the WTO’s SPS Agreement and the IPPC framework.

“This is not just regulatory oversight — it’s regulatory overreach at the expense of national interest,” stated an agricultural expert familiar with the matter. “By sidelining expert bodies like the National Biosecurity Technical Committee (NBTC), NAFSA has jeopardized food safety, agricultural integrity, and international trade standing.”

The situation is compounded by revelations of corruption and misconduct among senior officials. Notably, the current Director of Technical Quarantine & Pesticides Registration is under investigation for authorizing the clearance of pest-infested soybean imports, which have reportedly devastated local agricultural productivity.

Agricultural exporters report billions in losses due to non-compliant cargo rejections, particularly in the rice, sesame, and corn sectors. Countries including the USA, Australia, Vietnam, and Russia — which enforce strict phytosanitary requirements — are reportedly reviewing their trade terms with Pakistan.

Experts warn that discontinuing MeBr fumigation could lead to an escalation in pest infestations, crop damage, food price inflation, and an unsustainable rise in pesticide use. Exporters also face rising costs and significant delays as uncertified shipments remain stranded at ports amid regulatory confusion.

While Pakistan retreats from internationally accepted quarantine practices, regional peers such as India, Bangladesh, and even Afghanistan continue to use methyl bromide fumigation under IPPC guidelines. The divergence raises alarms about Pakistan’s growing isolation in global agricultural trade and food safety governance. The investigative report calls for urgent intervention by Parliament, the Prime Minister’s Office, and international partners to restore order in agricultural biosecurity governance. Stakeholders are demanding a comprehensive review of NAFSA’s structure, transparent accountability, and the reinstatement of science-based policies.

Until then, Pakistan’s agricultural future remains in limbo — at the mercy of poor regulation and political interference.