Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain has announced that the federal government has formulated a comprehensive National Wheat Policy after nearly four decades, marking a significant step towards strengthening Pakistan's food security, protecting farmers' interests and ensuring stability in the wheat market.
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, accompanied by President Pakistan Kissan Ittehad Khalid Mahmood Khokhar, the Federal Minister stated that the government has fixed the wheat price at Rs. 4,500 per maund following extensive consultations with all provincial governments. He emphasised that the decision reflects a consensus-based approach aimed at safeguarding farmers' interests while maintaining stability in the domestic wheat market.
The Minister said that the federal government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, is taking comprehensive measures to strengthen agricultural productivity, improve market regulation and ensure the availability of essential food commodities across the country.
Highlighting the government's food security strategy, Rana Tanveer Hussain announced that strategic wheat reserves of up to six million metric tonnes would be maintained during the current year to ensure uninterrupted supplies and protect the country against potential market disruptions.
He categorically stated that there would be no shortage of wheat in Pakistan this year, as the government had made adequate arrangements to meet national requirements.
The Federal Minister explained that imported wheat would also cost approximately Rs. 4,500 per maund, making domestic procurement a more suitable option. He reiterated that the government would prioritise Pakistani farmers rather than rely unnecessarily on imported wheat.
Providing details of wheat supplies, the Minister disclosed that more than 1.3 million metric tonnes of wheat had been provided to the provinces from PASSCO stocks. He further stated that arrangements could be made to import up to 550,000 metric tonnes of wheat in accordance with provincial requirements and demand.
Expressing concern over recent fluctuations in wheat prices, Rana Tanveer Hussain described the prevailing price hike as artificial and manipulated by certain market elements. He maintained that sufficient wheat stocks were available in the country and expressed confidence that prices would return to normal within the next few days.
The Minister emphasised that the government was closely monitoring market developments and would take necessary measures to discourage artificial shortages, speculative practices and unjustified price increases.
Discussing broader agricultural reforms, Rana Tanveer Hussain stated that the government had also formulated policies relating to seeds, olives and biotechnology to modernise Pakistan's agricultural sector, improve crop productivity and encourage innovation.
The Federal Minister reiterated that ensuring the availability of quality seeds, promoting modern agricultural technologies and improving regulatory mechanisms were essential for increasing agricultural productivity and reducing farmers' production costs.
He said agriculture remained the backbone of Pakistan's economy and that sustainable agricultural development was indispensable for national economic stability, rural prosperity and long-term food security.
Speaking on the occasion, Khalid Mahmood Khokhar, President of Pakistan Kissan Ittehad, appreciated the government's decision to fix the wheat price at Rs. 4,500 per maund. He welcomed the consultation process and acknowledged the importance of providing farmers with a predictable and reasonable price for their produce.
