Pakistan upgrades plant quarantine, pesticide testing laboratories in Karachi to strengthen agricultural exports

Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain opened two modernised agricultural testing facilities in Karachi on Friday, Profit by Pakistan Today reported. The Central Plant Quarantine Laboratory and the Federal Pesticides Testing and Reference Laboratory will test for pests and plant diseases, assess pesticide formulations and help enforce food safety and plant protection rules.

The quarantine facility is intended to improve detection of harmful organisms linked to imported agricultural goods, while the pesticide laboratory will check ingredients, product quality and residue levels. Hussain said stronger testing capacity would help protect local crops and support exporters in meeting international plant health and food safety requirements. He also highlighted the need for skilled staff, updated equipment and standardised procedures to produce dependable results.