ISLAMABAD (special crosspondent) – Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain, chaired a high-level meeting of the Wheat Board to evaluate the nation’s wheat availability, distribution strategy, and specific provincial requirements. The session saw participation from the Secretary of the Ministry of National Food Security and Research, Amer Ali Ahmed, the Prime Minister’s Coordinator on Agriculture, provincial agriculture and food secretaries, as well as representatives from Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir. Senior officials and members of the Pakistan Flour Mills Association were also in attendance to address the evolving food security landscape.

During the proceedings, officials reviewed the provinces’ demand for stocks held by PASSCO. It was determined that the collective provincial demand has exceeded the current inventory available with PASSCO. To mitigate potential shortages and address the concerns raised by provincial stakeholders, the government is currently exploring a process to import approximately 1 million tonnes of wheat. This decision comes as the administration remains focused on similar strategic issues impacting the nation, much like the Lahore Faces Potential Day Zero Water Crisis Amid Global Shortages and ongoing efforts by the Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb who chairs ECC to approve export incentives.

Rana Tanveer Hussain emphasized that the import quantity is based strictly on the requirements submitted by the provinces, ensuring the maintenance of uninterrupted wheat supplies and safeguarding national food security. The Minister provided assurances that all provinces will be kept fully informed throughout the import process, with a specific focus on maintaining rigorous quality specifications for the imported grain. He further stipulated that the distribution of this wheat will be conducted in strict accordance with the needs of each province, upholding principles of transparency, fairness, and equitable allocation.

Reaffirming the federal government’s commitment to collaborative governance, Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain stated that the administration would work closely with all federating units to stabilize supply chains and protect the interests of consumers. The meeting concluded with directives for the relevant authorities to finalize all necessary arrangements with efficiency and in close coordination with provincial governments to ensure the timely availability of wheat across the country.