Pakistan wheat import faces Sindh opposition

Pakistan wheat import faces Sindh opposition

The Sindh government has strongly opposed the federal government’s decision to import wheat, warning that the move could hurt local farmers and weaken the domestic agriculture sector.

Sindh Food Minister Makhdoom Mehboob-uz-Zaman said the province does not support wheat imports at a time when the country already has sufficient local production. He argued that bringing in imported wheat would reduce demand for locally grown crops and create financial difficulties for farmers who are already struggling with rising production costs.

The minister also criticized the Punjab government for restricting the inter-provincial movement of wheat. According to him, Punjab currently has a surplus of around seven million metric tons of wheat, while Sindh faces a shortfall of nearly one million metric tons. He said that easing the movement of wheat between provinces would help address supply gaps without relying on imports.

Makhdoom Mehboob-uz-Zaman added that the Sindh government plans to purchase wheat from the Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation (PASSCO) to meet the province’s procurement target. He stressed that local resources should be utilized before considering foreign imports.

Commenting on flour prices, the food minister said wheat flour in Karachi is currently selling between Rs130 and Rs140 per kilogram. He maintained that better coordination between the federal and provincial governments, along with the efficient distribution of locally available wheat, would help stabilize supplies and protect the interests of both consumers and farmers.