Islamabad, 1st March, 2021: Oath taking Ceremony of newly elected members of EAPARC was held here at NARC on 1st March, 2021. Federal Minister for M/o National Food Security & Research Syed Fakhar Imam participated as Chief Guest of the Ceremony and took oath from newly elected Members of EAPARC Election 2021.

Engr. Shamim ul Sibtain, DG NARC welcomed the participants including Federal Minister of NFSR and other guests. He highlighted that PARC has contributed significantly in national economy but it has been in a seriously financial crunch as a number of employees / scientists are still waiting for their pension commutation as well as payment of 5% / 10% increase announced in budget 2019. The Govt. must take immediate action to resolve this critical issue. Mr. Liaqat Ali Wahla, President EAPARC presented Sapasnama and his Charter of demands including pensioners/ employees dues before Federal Minister and Sr. Management of PARC as these issues need urgent attention of Federal Govt. in order to reduce distress in PARC Employees.

Addressing to the participants, Federal Minister for M/o NFS&R Syed Fakhar Imam congratulated EAPARC newly elected Members on their victory in elections. Federal Minister acknowledged PARC’s employees/scientists for their continued support to enhance food and nutritional security, improving the productivity of Pakistan’s agriculture and ultimately adding to the country’s economy. The Federal Minister also ensured to approach concerned ministries along-with Finance ministries to manage financial crisis of PARC. The Minister urged the agriculture scientists to develop of varieties of quality seed and disease resistant so that per acre production could be increased.

Dr. Muhammad Azeem Khan, Chairman PARC in his speech ensured that legal demands of EAPARC must be implemented in its true spirit as early as possible. Chairman, PARC also remarked about the PARC / NARC employees’ efforts and role in promotion of agriculture sector in Pakistan. Chairman highlighted the efforts of PARC scientists for the prosperity of agriculture sector in the country. He demanded to the Government specially Ministry of National Food Security & Research and Ministry of Finance to provide finances to PARC immediately in order to sustain strategic agricultural research. The Chairman more added that PARC is making hectic efforts to provide new high production potential varieties and certified seeds to farming community and scientists are obtaining new materials from different agriculture research institutions of World and making long cycles of hybridization to develop new varieties of staple food like rice, wheat, oilseeds and fruits. At the end, Mr. Saeed Ahmed, newly elected Chairman EAPARC paid vote of thanks to all participants of the ceremony.