ISLAMABAD, July 19: Cold storage owners, exporters and agricultural stakeholders from across Pakistan have agreed to establish a nationwide representative body to address policy, regulatory and operational challenges facing the industry.
The decision was taken at the All Pakistan Cold Storage Convention in Islamabad, where participants endorsed plans to register the proposed association with the Directorate General of Trade Organizations. The body is expected to represent operators in discussions with federal and provincial authorities.
Industry representatives said the association would provide a unified platform for raising concerns linked to food preservation, agricultural exports, energy costs and the treatment of perishable goods.
The proposed chairman, Arslan Javed, said completing the association’s registration would be the first priority.
“Our immediate priority is to register the organisation with the DGTO. Once that process is completed, we will work collectively to address the challenges facing the industry,” he said.
Javed said cold storage facilities play an important role in reducing food waste, protecting agricultural produce, supporting food security and maintaining the supply chain for fresh and perishable exports.
Operators seek role in policymaking
Participants expressed concern that some recent policy decisions affecting the storage and export of fresh produce had been taken without adequate consultation with industry stakeholders.
They called for cold storage operators, exporters and farmers’ representatives to be included in future policy discussions before decisions affecting the sector are finalised.
The convention agreed that the proposed association would prepare and submit recommendations to the government after completing its registration.
The proposals are expected to focus on regulatory issues, operating costs, export competitiveness and measures needed to strengthen Pakistan’s cold chain infrastructure.
Proposed office-bearers announced
The proposed leadership includes Arslan Javed as chairman and Anis ur Rehman as senior vice chairman.
Arshad Hussain was named proposed Punjab zonal chairman, Shahid Hussain Solangi as Sindh zonal chairman, Ahmed Jamshed as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa zonal chairman, Malik Shakeel Ahmed as Islamabad zonal chairman and Wahid Agha as Balochistan zonal chairman.
Waqas Shahid was proposed as general secretary.
Cold storage owners, exporters, farmers’ representatives and other stakeholders from different parts of the country attended the convention and supported a joint strategy for engagement with the government.
