Parliamentary Committee Led by Javed Ali Shah Jillani Drives PARC–SALU Collaboration to Transform Pakistan’s Date Palm Sector.

Parliamentary Committee Led by Javed Ali Shah Jillani Drives PARC–SALU Collaboration to Transform Pakistan’s Date Palm Sector.
Parliament, Research Institutions and Academia Align for Agricultural Innovation
PARC Chairman Dr. Andrabi and Technical Team to Visit SALU Khairpur for Joint Date Palm Research Initiative
Press Release
Islamabad 16-12-2025
The meeting of the Sub-Committee of the National Assembly Standing Committee on National Food Security and Research (NFS&R) was held today at the National Agricultural Research Center (NARC), Islamabad, setting a crucial focus on enhancing date palm production and enhancing exportable potential for greater farmer profitability and national benefit.
The meeting was chaired by MNA Syed Javed Ali Shah Jillani (Convener of the Sub-committee) and Mr Babark Habib deputy director participated as the secretary of the committee . The other distinguished attendees included sub-committee members MNA Syed Abrar Ali Shah and MNA Mr. Zulfiqar Ali Behan, as well as Prof. Meritorious Dr Yousuf Khushk, Vice Chancellor of Shah Abdul Latif University (SALU), Khairpur, Dr. Syed Murtaza Hassan Andrabi, Chairman Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC), Islamabad, and Syed Intikhab Alam, Joint Secretary (Admn), MNFSR.
Honorable Convener Syed Javed Ali Shah Jillani stressed the immense potential of the date palm sector, urging for decisive action. He instructed the Chairman of the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) to initiate research on date palm by introducing new varieties which possess higher export potential and can mature after or before monsoon rain, emphasizing that this will allow farmers to earn substantially more money from the market.
He underscored the importance of date palm research for the country's economic and agricultural landscape. Pakistan is the fifth-largest date producer globally, but improving varieties and value addition remains a key challenge for global market competitiveness.
The session was also attended Dr. Zakir Hussain Dahri, Senior Director NARC, Dr Attaullah Pathan Director General PARC Sindh Dr Ameer Ahmed Mallah, Director Date Palm Research Institute, Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur and other relevant officials.
It was collectively decided that the Chairman PARC, along with his team, will visit the Date Palm Research Institute (DPRI) at SALU, Khairpur for further deliberations and stakeholder engagement. This visit aims to pave the way for a joint venture research program to revitalize the country's date palm sector.
The move signals a strong collaborative spirit between the legislative body, the central research organization, and academia to transform the date palm industry into a high-earning entrepreneurship for the date palm growers.
Dr Sahib Khan Oad
Media Studies Department
SALU Khairpur .