ISLAMABAD: The federal government has decided to immediately import one million tonnes of wheat to ensure adequate supplies across the country and maintain stability in the domestic market.
According to the Ministry of National Food Security and Research, the decision was taken during a consultative meeting between the federal government and provincial authorities to review wheat availability, existing stocks and future demand.
The meeting unanimously agreed that wheat stocks currently held by the Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation (PASSCO) would be released immediately to provinces in line with their requirements to prevent any disruption in supply.
Officials informed the meeting that the provinces’ combined demand exceeds the wheat stocks currently available with PASSCO. In view of the anticipated shortfall, the government approved the immediate import of one million tonnes of wheat.
The ministry said the move is aimed at meeting domestic demand, ensuring an uninterrupted supply of wheat and maintaining stability in prices and market availability.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Punjab Food Safety Department said flour mills across the province are operating normally and wheat grinding is continuing without interruption.
According to the spokesperson, around 364,000 bags of 10-kilogram flour and 133,000 bags of 20-kilogram flour have been supplied across Punjab.
In Lahore alone, approximately 786,400 bags of 10-kilogram flour are being supplied to the market at a price of Rs1,100 per bag.
The spokesperson added that authorities are closely monitoring the situation to ensure an uninterrupted supply of flour and are taking all necessary measures to maintain the distribution system.
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