Fertilizer Makers Warn New Punjab Act Could Hurt Genuine Companies

Fertilizer manufacturers have raised serious concerns over the enforcement of the Punjab Fertilizer Control Act 2025, warning that the current approach could wrongly target compliant companies.

In a letter to the Prosecutor General Punjab, the Fertilizer Manufacturers of Pakistan Advisory Council said the new guidelines could create misplaced liability by relying heavily on product labels to assign responsibility.

The industry body warned that under the current system, any substandard fertilizer sample could lead to action against the company whose name appears on the product, even before confirming whether the product is genuine or counterfeit.

Manufacturers said this shifts the burden of proof onto legitimate companies, especially in cases where fake products are sold using their brand names. The council noted that this approach goes against standard legal principles, where responsibility should be based on clear control over production and supply chains.

It also raised concerns over strict enforcement measures, including immediate registration of cases and sealing of facilities before proper investigation, which could disrupt business operations and damage reputations.

The industry warned that such actions could weaken legal cases if proper evidence is not established, while also failing to catch the real culprits behind counterfeit and adulterated fertilizers.

FMPAC said the current system treats tracing dealers and distributors as a secondary step, which may shift focus away from illegal networks and toward easier targets in the formal sector.

The council added that holding officials accountable without proper investigation could lead to rushed decisions and unfair targeting of compliant companies. It urged authorities to ensure that enforcement actions are based on credible and traceable evidence and called for a delay in implementing the guidelines until formal rules are finalized.