Urgent Wheat Requests From Punjab and Sindh Spark Import Talks.
A second federal-provincial meeting on Monday addressed growing concerns over wheat availability in Pakistan. Major provinces have declared shortages and requested urgent releases from national reserves to curb price increases.
Policy Decisions Fuel Current Crisis
Ending the wheat support price two years ago without adequate alternatives, combined with poor procurement this season, has created vulnerabilities. Punjab and Sindh, key producers, procured far below targets.
Path Forward: Imports and Coordination
The meeting, led by Ahad Cheema, examined import possibilities but postponed decisions pending final provincial requirements. Federal stocks risk depletion after fulfilling requests, potentially necessitating imports of 500,000 to one million tonnes.
Officially, Pakistan harvested 29.78 million metric tonnes this year. Combined with carryover stocks, supply should meet the 31.66 million tonne demand. Yet, distribution challenges and hoarding fears complicate the picture.
Punjab requested one million tonnes from PASSCO. Sindh asked for 220,000 tonnes locally available plus more from Punjab, which resisted due to its own constraints. K-P sought significant quantities for both public and private sectors.
Price data shows clear upward trends. Punjab’s 40 kg wheat price rose Rs235 in a month. Sindh recorded a Rs437 increase. Flour prices hit Rs142 per kg in several major urban centers.
K-P’s finance adviser warned of extremely low provincial reserves and stressed imports as necessary to ease pressure. The government maintains that markets remain stable overall and continues anti-hoarding measures.
Federal Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain highlighted PASSCO’s supportive role. Cheema assured provinces of coordinated releases and additional wheat as required under existing agreements.
With another meeting imminent, the focus remains on written submissions of final demands. Protecting both consumers and farmers is the stated priority amid this post-harvest challenge.
The episode underscores the need for stronger procurement systems and contingency planning in Pakistan’s wheat economy, vital for national food security.
