Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Cheema chaired a high-level meeting to review the country's wheat situation and assess the current demand and supply position across the provinces. The meeting was attended by Federal Minister for National Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain, Secretary National Food Security Amir Ali Ahmad, Chief Secretary Punjab Zahid Akhtar Zaman, Chief Secretary Sindh Asif Hyder Shah, Chief Secretary Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Shahab Ali Shahab, Adviser to the Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Muzammil Aslam, Sindh Food Minister, and other senior officials.
The participants conducted a comprehensive review of wheat production, existing stocks, and the overall demand and supply situation in the country. The Chief Secretaries informed the meeting that the demand and supply situation in their respective provinces remains normal at present. They, however, indicated that their provinces may require additional wheat from the Federal Government to meet future requirements and ensure uninterrupted availability.
Addressing the meeting, Federal Minister Ahad Cheema emphasized that the Federal Government will try its level best to fulfill the wheat requirements of the provinces from PASSCO stocks. He said the government's foremost priority is to safeguard the interests of both the public and farmers while ensuring uninterrupted availability of wheat across the country. He stressed that every decision regarding wheat management would be taken keeping in view domestic production, market conditions, and the welfare of local farmers.
The Minister further directed all relevant authorities to maintain strict vigilance against hoarding and market manipulation to ensure sufficient wheat availability in the market before the upcoming sowing season.
Federal Minister for National Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain informed the meeting that PASSCO would extend full support and facilitate provincial governments in ensuring smooth wheat management and availability.
Concluding the discussion on wheat, the Minister directed all stakeholders to maintain close coordination and continuously monitor the situation so that timely decisions can be taken to ensure food security, market stability, and protection of farmers' interests.
The meeting also reviewed the availability of petroleum products and discussed concerns regarding the hoarding of fuel by certain Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs). Chairperson OGRA, Nabeel Ahmad Awan, participated in the meeting, during which the prevailing fuel supply situation and enforcement measures were reviewed in detail.
Federal Minister Ahad Cheema and the Secretary Establishment urged all provincial Chief Secretaries to take immediate and effective action against petrol pumps and Oil Marketing Companies found involved in hoarding fuel or attempting to exploit the prevailing regional situation for undue profiteering.
The provincial Chief Secretaries assured the meeting that their respective administrations would work in close coordination with OGRA's designated officials to curb hoarding and ensure uninterrupted fuel supplies across the country.
Reaffirming the government's commitment to maintaining energy security, the Minister said that Pakistan has sufficient stocks of petroleum products and there is no shortage of fuel in the country. He made it clear that the government will not allow any Oil Marketing Company or petrol pump to create an artificial shortage for profiteering. He added that while the government does not intend to harass legitimate businesses, it will not hesitate to take strict action in accordance with the law against anyone involved in hoarding, profiteering, or disrupting the smooth supply of essential commodities
