Pakistan to import 1 million tons of wheat to meet provincial demand

The decision was reached after detailed consultations between the federal government and provincial authorities on wheat availability

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has decided to immediately import one million tons of wheat to ensure an uninterrupted supply across the country and meet the growing demand of the provinces.

The decision was reached after detailed consultations between the federal government and provincial authorities on wheat availability, pricing, and supply. During the meeting, participants agreed that wheat stocks currently held by the Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation (PASSCO) would be released without delay to address the immediate requirements of the provinces.

Officials noted that while PASSCO’s existing reserves would help ease the short-term situation, the available stocks are insufficient to meet the combined demand of all provinces. To bridge the gap and maintain market stability, the government approved the immediate import of one million tons of wheat.

Federal Minister for National Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain said the government remains committed to ensuring the availability of affordable, high-quality wheat for consumers. He stated that PASSCO’s wheat reserves would be distributed according to provincial needs, while the planned imports would help fulfill the country’s overall requirements and prevent supply disruptions.

The minister added that the move is aimed at maintaining stable wheat supplies, supporting provincial food security, and preventing unnecessary fluctuations in the domestic market.