PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial information minister Shafi Jan has said that there is no shortage of wheat or flour anywhere in the province, saying it is taking all necessary measures to ensure uninterrupted supplies and stable prices.
Addressing a press conference alongside Special Assistant for Food Dr Muhammad Israr, Provincial Information Minister Shafi Jan said the province’s annual wheat requirement stands at 5.44 million metric tonnes, while local production this year reached 1.63 million metric tonnes, leaving an annual shortfall of approximately 3.8 million metric tonnes, which is met through purchases from other provinces, particularly Punjab.
He said government food warehouses currently hold 153,933 metric tonnes of wheat, while the private sector is estimated to have an additional 114,806 metric tonnes of wheat and flour in stock.
Shafi Jan said the provincial cabinet has approved the procurement of 250,000 metric tonnes of wheat from the Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation (PASSCO).
Of this, 100,000 metric tonnes have already been received, while a memorandum of understanding has been signed and advance payment made for the remaining 150,000 metric tonnes.
The cabinet has also approved the purchase of 225,000 metric tonnes of wheat from local farmers at a support price of Rs3,500 per 40 kilograms, he added.
The minister said the provincial government is continuously monitoring the availability of flour on the directives of Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and is taking daily measures to prevent unjustified price increases.
He alleged that the Punjab government has imposed unnecessary restrictions on the inter-provincial movement of wheat and flour, which he said are contrary to the spirit of Article 151 of the Constitution guaranteeing freedom of trade.
According to Shafi Jan, these restrictions could disrupt supplies to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, increase prices and place additional pressure on the market.
He said the provincial government has written 15 letters to the federal government and the Punjab government seeking the removal of restrictions, while the chief minister has also raised the issue at the National Economic Council and engaged the governor and opposition parties to build consensus.
The minister urged the federal and Punjab governments to ensure the uninterrupted movement of wheat and flour and immediately lift what he described as unnecessary restrictions.
He added that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government will continue to monitor the market closely, protect strategic reserves and coordinate with all relevant institutions to ensure a steady supply of wheat and flour across the province.
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