Kirmani chairs steering committee meeting on Citrus revival program

MULTAN, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 24th Feb, 2026) Provincial Minister for Agriculture Punjab, Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani, chaired a meeting of the Steering Committee of the Citrus Revival Program to review progress and accelerate implementation of key initiatives.

The meeting was attended by Convener of the Chief Minister’s Punjab Task Force on Citrus, Mohsin Shahnawaz Ranjha; Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Usama Khan Laghari, Secretary Agriculture Punjab, Iftikhar Ali Sahoo, Special Secretary Agriculture, Agha Nabeel Akhtar, and Director Generals of Agriculture including Chaudhry Abdul Hameed, Naveed Ismat Kahloon, Dr Sajid ur Rehman, and Dr Aamir Rasool, along with other committee members.

During the session, participants reviewed the progress of ongoing activities under the Citrus Revival Program. The committee decided to expedite the tendering process for the establishment of modern screen houses. Directions were issued to ensure that only experienced and technically competent construction firms participate in the tendering process to maintain high construction standards.

A special committee comprising Mohsin Shahnawaz Ranjha, Usama Khan Laghari, and Agha Nabeel Akhtar was constituted to reassess the tendering process and ensure that construction activities strictly adhere to the prescribed quality benchmarks. The committee will also conduct weekly reviews of the program’s implementation progress.

Furthermore, it was decided that the committee will develop a transparent mechanism for the distribution of high-quality imported citrus plant varieties to farmers after propagation, ensuring merit-based and equitable access.

The meeting also reviewed progress regarding the establishment of eight screen houses in Sargodha and three in Toba Tek Singh. Additionally, the construction progress of the Citrus Research Station building in Toba Tek Singh was discussed in detail.

The Citrus Revival Program aims to enhance productivity, improve fruit quality, and strengthen Punjab’s citrus sector through modern infrastructure and scientific interventions.