The federal and provincial governments have intensified efforts to tackle Pakistan’s growing wheat crisis, holding their second high-level meeting in five days as Punjab and Sindh requested emergency releases from federal wheat reserves to stabilize supplies and contain rising prices.
The meeting, chaired by Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Cheema, also reviewed the possibility of importing wheat. However, officials postponed a final decision until all provinces submit their updated requirements.
Punjab and Sindh Seek Emergency Wheat Supplies
Punjab has requested one million tonnes of wheat from federal reserves, while Sindh has asked for at least 220,000 tonnes currently stored in Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation (PASSCO) warehouses within the province.
Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa requested approximately 100,000 tonnes for the public sector and an additional 700,000 tonnes for private-sector needs.
During the meeting, Sindh also urged Punjab to ease restrictions on interprovincial wheat movement, but Punjab declined, citing concerns about its own supply situation.
Low Procurement Fuels Supply Concerns
The wheat shortage has emerged despite Pakistan producing an estimated 29.8 million tonnes of wheat during the latest harvest season.
Officials attributed the crisis to the withdrawal of the wheat support price under Pakistan’s International Monetary Fund (IMF) reform program without introducing an alternative procurement mechanism. They also pointed to insufficient wheat purchases by provincial governments.
Punjab procured only 480,000 tonnes against its target of three million tonnes, while Sindh purchased just over 200,000 tonnes.
Officials further noted that Punjab has been unable to account for nearly four million tonnes of wheat believed to have been hoarded in the private sector.
Federal Stocks Under Pressure
Government officials warned that fulfilling provincial requests from PASSCO’s 1.7 million tonnes of strategic reserves would significantly reduce federal wheat stocks.
To maintain adequate national reserves, Pakistan may eventually need to import between 500,000 tonnes and one million tonnes of wheat.
Ahad Cheema said any decision to import wheat would be taken only after a comprehensive assessment of domestic supply and market conditions, while ensuring that local farmers’ interests are protected.
Wheat and Flour Prices Continue to Rise
Although officials said no immediate nationwide wheat shortage has been reported, market prices have continued to increase across the country.
According to official figures, wheat prices have reached approximately
- Punjab Rs. 4,423 per 40 kilograms
- Sindh Rs. 4,625 per 40 kilograms
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Rs. 5,100 per 40 kilograms
- Balochistan Rs. 4,800 per 40 kilograms
Flour prices have also climbed, reaching around Rs. 142 per kilogram in Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Peshawar, and Karachi.
Government Continues Market Stabilization Efforts
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Finance Adviser Muzzammil Aslam described the situation as the first major wheat crisis to emerge only months after the harvest, attributing it to weak procurement policies and inadequate provincial reserves.
Cheema said PASSCO would continue releasing wheat to provinces under existing agreements and assured provincial governments that additional supplies would be provided if necessary.
Federal and provincial authorities are continuing consultations to stabilize wheat prices, maintain adequate reserves, and ensure uninterrupted availability of wheat and flour across Pakistan while evaluating whether imports will be required in the coming months.
