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A meeting of the SENATE's Special Committee on "CHALLENGES OF WTO", which
met here today under the chairmanship of the Federal Minister for
Privatisation & Investment Senator Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh has decided to
immediately associate all stakeholders for formulating recommendations to be
presented before the Senate for meeting the WTO challenges in all sectors.
The meeting decided to move forward on fast track basis to identify the
concerns, issues, potential areas and the measures to improve efficiency and
productivity in the Food, Agriculture & Livestock sector. It was decided that
the draft of Plant Breeders Rights Act prepared by Ministry of Agriculture and
the BIO Safety prepared by Ministry of Environment be sent to the Special
Committee for its input.
Senator Ch. Muhammad Anwar Bhinder stressed upon the need to evolve a strategy
for increase in the agriculture output through cost effective measures and
transfer of technology.
The Experts from the Agriculture sector Dr. Zafar Altaf, Mr. Akhtar Mahmood
Khan and Dr. Shahid Zia gave an overview of the agriculture sector and made
some proposals. They were of the view that the technology used in the
agricultural sector needs to be changed to harness the full potential of the
natural resources. Pakistani laws should be updated, made transparent and
brought in line with WTO requirements. Apprehensions were also shown that
Pakistan might face problems in accessing seed market due to the TRIPS
Agreement.
Earlier, a briefing was made by the Secretary Ministry of Food, Agriculture &
Livestock on steps being taken by the Government to face the challenges in the
wake of WTO regime and their solutions. A draft law on Plant Breeders Rights
Act had been sent to all the provinces for incorporating their proposals, the
Senate Committee was informed.
The Special Committee members Senators Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Ilyas Ahmed
Bilour, Dr. Shahzad Waseem, and Ch. Muhammad Anwar Bhinder attended the
meeting.
The 16 members Special Committee headed by Senator Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh
was constituted by the House on September 22, 2003 on a resolution moved by
Senator Ch. Muhammad Anwar Bhinder to suggest ways and means to face the
challenges of W.T.O coming into force in 2005.
The next meeting of the committee is scheduled for December 18, 2003 in which
representatives of Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce & Industries,
All Pakistan Textile Mills Association and Pakistan Sugar Mills Association
are being invited to present their views on the subject.