The Punjab Agriculture Department seized counterfeit and expired pesticides valued at over Rs 613.3 million during a raid on an illegal manufacturing facility in Multan, resulting in the arrest of two suspects, officials confirmed on Wednesday.
Operation Led by Senior Officials
The operation was conducted under the direct instructions of Punjab Minister for Agriculture Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani and Secretary Agriculture Iftikhar Ali Sahu, as part of an ongoing crackdown on fake and substandard agricultural inputs. Director Pest Warning and Quality Control of Pesticides Syed Ismat Bukhari led the raiding team after receiving intelligence about an illegal factory operating in the Industrial Estate, Multan.
Seized Products and Arrests
During the raid, officials recovered 11,673 litres and 1,541.6 kilograms of counterfeit and expired pesticides, with a total estimated market value of Rs 613,335,426. The factory was found to be manufacturing and repackaging fake pesticides, filling counterfeit products into new containers for sale. The inspection team collected 12 pesticide samples for laboratory analysis, and all seized products were handed over to the police as case property. Two suspects, Muhammad Arif and Muhammad Mohsin Raza, were arrested at the scene.
Legal Action and Commendation
A prosecution complaint has been filed for registration of a case against the arrested individuals at Muzaffarabad police station in Multan. Director General Pest Warning and Quality Control of Pesticides Dr. Aamir Rasool and Additional Director General (South Zone) Ilyas Raza commended the raiding team for their successful operation. The crackdown is part of broader efforts to protect farmers from harmful agricultural inputs and ensure quality control in the province.
