Official Extortion and Neglect Push Pakistan’s Chilgoza Sector Into Deep Crisis

Islamabad, November 21, 2025

Pakistan’s famed Chilgoza (pine nut) industry is slipping into a severe crisis as farmers report escalating official extortion, mismanagement, and government neglect. Producers from remote northern regions say corrupt practices at various checkpoints and excessive levies have made it nearly impossible to transport their harvest profitably.

Stakeholders warn that without immediate reforms, the Chilgoza sector—one of Pakistan’s major high-value exports—may face long-term damage. Farmers are urging the government to curb illegal extortion, improve infrastructure, and provide meaningful support to revive an industry that sustains thousands of livelihoods across the country’s mountainous belt.