Islamabad, June 22, 2025: Pakistan’s mango exports are under intense scrutiny following revelations of large-scale non-compliance with international phytosanitary protocols. The scandal has triggered alarm in top importing countries including Iran, the European Union, and Australia—jeopardizing the nation’s billion-rupee mango trade.
Multiple complaints have reached the Prime Minister’s Office and top federal ministries, accusing several Hot Water Treatment (HWT) plants of violating export standards. These plants, responsible for pest eradication prior to shipment, allegedly bypassed proper procedures and received forged phytosanitary certificates, enabling untreated mangoes to be cleared for export.
Barrister Junaid Khan, in a formal letter to the PM, exposed links between these HWT operators and politically backed customs agents stationed at the Taftan–Mirjaveh border. His report highlights the use of non-food-grade systems, poor water circulation, and doctored compliance records—posing a serious threat to international phytosanitary agreements.
With oversight now handled by the National Agri Trade and Food Safety Authority (NA&FSA), new protocols were designed to eliminate malpractice. These include real-time surveillance of mango treatment, electronic documentation, and traceability up to the export border. Despite this, sources confirm that several exporters resisted audits and manipulated staffing to favor non-compliant operations.
Key insiders allege that political pressure derailed enforcement just 20 days into the season. Despite early warnings by NA&FSA DG Tahir Abbas, who banned any untreated consignments to Iran, selected exporters were granted leniency while others faced strict compliance. This selective implementation of rules has led to fears of a cartel operating within the export sector.
Under Iran-Pakistan trade agreements, any detection of fruit fly can lead to a full-year suspension of the involved HWT plant. With mounting evidence of certificate forgery and protocol violations, a complete mango export ban from Pakistan to Iran is increasingly possible.
As the mango season peaks, Pakistan risks losing credibility in global markets unless immediate corrective measures are taken. Exporters and regulatory authorities must act swiftly to restore transparency and uphold the country’s phytosanitary commitments.
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