Peshawar: A special committee of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly on Wednesday reviewed tobacco-related matters and directed its sub-committee to expedite work on legal and regulatory measures concerning the sector, with particular focus on protecting tobacco growers’ interests.
The meeting of the committee, constituted under Call Attention Notice and was chaired by Abdul Karim Tordher at the Provincial Assembly Secretariat.
Members of the assembly, Chairman and Secretary Pakistan Tobacco Board, and officials of the Excise, Taxation and Narcotics Control, Agriculture, Law and Information departments, Advocate General’s Office and Provincial Assembly Secretariat attended the meeting. Former Pakistan Tobacco Board member Ayaz Khan also participated through Zoom.
The committee reviewed progress on the formation of its sub-committee, its terms of reference and the work undertaken so far.
The Pakistan Tobacco Board gave a briefing on laws, rules, regulations and procedures relating to the prevention of unauthorized and illegal purchase of tobacco.
Officials informed the meeting that the sub-committee had been constituted and its formal notification issued. Its terms of reference include reviewing the legal and regulatory framework governing tobacco and examining the scope of provincial legislation, regulation and policy measures in the sector.
The meeting was informed that a request had been sent to the committee chairman to fix a date for the sub-committee’s meeting, which would be convened at the earliest.
Abdul Karim Tordher directed the sub-committee to finalize its deliberations promptly and clearly determine the constitutional and legal scope of provincial measures relating to tobacco. He also sought a clear timeline for submission of recommendations and progress on their implementation.
He said tobacco was an important agricultural crop in KP and a major source of livelihood for a large number of farmers.
He directed that their legitimate interests, fair purchase of produce, appropriate compensation and protection against possible exploitation should be given due consideration while framing measures for the sector.
The chairman also directed that the Pakistan Tobacco Board’s Management Information System (MIS) be made available on its website to facilitate and expedite registration of genuine tobacco growers.
A proposal to include a representative of the Home Department in the composition of the sub-committee was also discussed.