Animal Quarantine Department

Summary

The Animal Quarantine Department (AQD) (Urdu: سررشتہ برائے قرنطینہِ حیوانات) is an attached department of the Ministry of National Food Security and Research, responsible for animal quarantine, inspection and certification services in Pakistan. AQD is the lead agency for collaboration with other agencies to protect the wild animals and the livestock industry of Pakistan and other countries from introduction or spread of exotic diseases, by regulating the import, export and quarantine of animals and animal products.[1][3][4]

Animal Quarantine Department
Agency overview
Formed1980 (1980)[1]
JurisdictionPakistan
HeadquartersAnimal Quarantine Department, 69/4,5-D, Nursery PECHS Block-6, Shahrah-e-Faisal, Karachi
Annual budget104.315 Million PKR
Federal Minister responsible
Federal Secretary responsible
  • Dr. Muhammad Hashim Popalzai[2]
Agency executive
  • Director Dr. Muhammad Ilyas, Head of the Department (BPS-19)
Websiteaqd.gov.pk
Agency IDAQD

History edit

In 1980, first Animal Quarantine Station (AQS) was formed at Karachi under Pakistan Animal Quarantine Ordinance 1979 and Pakistan Animal Quarantine Rules 1980. In addition Animal Quarantine Stations (AQSs) in federal capital of Islamabad and provincial capitals of Lahore, Peshawar and Quetta were established in between 1980 and 1988. In 1987, AQD was established as an attached department of Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock. Furthermore, AQSs at Multan and Sialkot were formed in 1990 and 2001 respectively. In 2000–01, Laboratory for detection of drug residues in animal products was formed at Karachi. In April 2008, Government of Pakistan attached AQD to Ministry of Livestock & Dairy Development. But in May 2011, AQD became a part of Ministry of Commerce. And since October 2011, AQD is functioning as an attached department of Ministry of National Food Security & Research.[5]

Duties and responsibilities edit

Duties and responsibilities of AQD, as defined by Ministry of national food security and research,[6] are:

  • Regulate the import, export and quarantine of animals and animal products, in order to prevent the introduction or spread of exotic diseases.[6]
  • Maintain quarantine services of high standards, to protect the livestock industry of Pakistan and other countries.[6]
  • Provides certifications services to the exporters and importers.[6]

Services edit

Currently AQD offer following services:[7]

  • Issuance of Health Certificates for the Import/Export through inspection and quarantine.[7]
  • Registration of export oriented establishments for animals and animal products.[7]
  • Risk assessment for importation of animal and animal products in the light of national laws and international obligations.[7]
  • Laboratory testing of commodities meant for export and import.[7]

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Introduction – Animal Quarantine Department". aqd.gov.pk. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  2. ^ "Federal Secretary – Animal Quarantine Department". aqd.gov.pk. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  3. ^ "Home". Animal Quarantine Department. Archived from the original on 16 August 2016. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
  4. ^ "Animal Quarantine Department - AQD Pakistan". PetPitari.Com. 29 November 2018. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  5. ^ "History – Animal Quarantine Department". www.aqd.gov.pk. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  6. ^ a b c d "AQD details". www.mnfsr.gov.pk. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  7. ^ a b c d e "AQD Services – Animal Quarantine Department". aqd.gov.pk. Retrieved 15 August 2021.

External links edit

  • Animal Quarantine Department