Minister Kirmani makes Mobile Pest Surveillance squads operational in south Punjab

MULTAN, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 29th Apr, 2026) Punjab Minister for Agriculture Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani on Wednesday inaugurated mobile Pest Surveillance Squads aimed at safeguarding crops from harmful pests and diseases, and boosting agricultural productivity across the province including south Punjab.

The inaugural ceremony, held at Kala Shah Kaku, was attended by Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture Usama Khan Laghari, Secretary Agriculture Punjab Iftikhar Ali Sahoo, along with Director Generals of Agriculture, including Chaudhry Abdul Hameed, Naveed Asmat Kahlon and Dr Amir Rasool, as well as officers of the Pest Surveillance Squad, plant protection assistants, and other staff, said an official statement, released here on Wednesday.

Speaking on the occasion, the minister said the initiative was a significant move in continuation of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif's vision of a modernised transformation of agriculture sector on scientific lines.

In the first phase, the service has been activated in the south Punjab divisions of Multan, Bahawalpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, besides Faisalabad and Sahiwal divisions.

A total of 65 vehicles, equipped with modern diagnostic kits, have also been provided at tehsil level to enhance field operations.

Kirmani stated that under the Pest Warning Programme, Mobile Pest Surveillance Squads have been established at a cost of Rs 470 million. These squads will visit fields to ensure timely detection of pest attacks and plant diseases, while also guiding farmers on effective control measures. He highlighted that substantial resources have been allocated to help agriculture take advantage of technological innovations, yielding encouraging results.

Secretary Agriculture Punjab Iftikhar Ali Sahoo said that 105 plant protection assistants have been recruited under the initiative, adding that the performance of these squads will be monitored on a daily basis to ensure efficiency.

He stressed that the programme will promote integrated pest management and contribute towards sustainable and environmental friendly agricultural practices in the province.