ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday gave in-principle approval for the restructuring of the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC), signalling a major shift in the country’s approach to agricultural research and development. Speaking at a high-level meeting on the Ministry of National Food Security & Research and PARC affairs, Sharif emphasised the centrality of research in modernizing the country’s agriculture. “Agricultural research is key to advancing the country’s agriculture and ensuring food security,” he said, stressing that a comprehensive restructuring plan, complete with a clear timeline, should be prepared without delay. The prime minister also directed to transform PARC into a premier research institution, modelled on China’s renowned Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), in a move aimed at bolstering the country’s food security and agricultural exports. During the meeting, officials gave a detailed briefing on strategies to make PARC a more dynamic institution aligned with contemporary scientific and technological standards. The reform agenda outlined measures to consolidate all research centres under PARC into five specialized centres of excellence. These centres will focus on high-yield seed development, elite livestock breeding, precision agriculture, farm mechanisation – including artificial intelligence applications – and food processing, with the goal of boosting both domestic production and international exports. The restructuring plan also emphasises governance reforms, recruitment of top-tier research talent, international partnerships, improved co-ordination with provincial governments, and clearly defined performance targets for PARC. Agricultural research is expected to be more closely linked with industry, fostering innovation that directly impacts farmers and market competitiveness. The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Minister for National Food Security & Research Rana Tanveer Hussain, Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Cheema, Minister for Climate Change Musadik Malik, adviser to the Prime Minister on political affairs Rana Sanaullah, State Minister for Finance Bilal Azhar Kiani, and special assistants to the Prime Minister Haroon Akhtar and Tariq Bajwa and Ahmed Umair, the Prime Minister’s Coordinator for Agriculture, alongside other senior officials. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026