Govt directs provinces to ensure uninterrupted wheat movement

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has asked provincial administrations and relevant departments to keep inter-provincial wheat transportation running without disruption so supplies of the staple remain smooth across the country.

The direction was issued during the 11th meeting of the National Wheat Oversight Committee, which was chaired by Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain. The meeting reviewed the wheat procurement campaign, the pace of harvesting and current market prices.

During the session, the minister told provincial governments and concerned departments to make sure wheat could move freely between provinces, stressing that administrative or logistical obstacles should not be allowed to affect supply.

Rana Tanveer said domestic wheat prices were in line with international market trends and were currently between Rs3,500 and Rs4,000 per maund. He said the price range offered reasonable returns to growers while also keeping the commodity within reach of consumers.

He said the government remained committed to protecting farmers’ interests through fair compensation and efficient procurement arrangements. The minister also expressed satisfaction over the country’s wheat reserves and told participants that available stocks were sufficient to meet local consumption needs and support food security.

According to the minister, provinces had expressed confidence in achieving their wheat production targets for the ongoing season. He also highlighted the need for transparency and efficiency in procurement operations.

Rana Tanveer instructed the authorities to support farmers through prompt payments, sufficient procurement centres and by preventing unnecessary delays in the process. The meeting also discussed steps to check hoarding and profiteering, and strict instructions were issued for action against market manipulation.

Monitoring and storage measures discussed

The minister further directed officials to strengthen monitoring of wheat stocks and market conditions. He called for the use of digital tools and data-based mechanisms to improve decision-making related to wheat management.

He also stressed the importance of expanding storage capacity and reducing post-harvest losses, as the government reviewed arrangements linked to procurement, supply and stock management.

The meeting formed part of the government’s ongoing oversight of wheat procurement and availability, with officials examining harvesting progress, reserves and pricing as part of efforts to maintain stable supplies of the commodity.