Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain, has acknowledged that importing wheat from international markets will prove significantly more expensive than purchasing local grain. The minister revealed that imported wheat will cost approximately PKR 4,200 to PKR 4,300 per 40 kg (maund), whereas local support price mechanisms could stabilize domestic supply far more efficiently.
Speaking at a meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Food Security chaired by Syed Hussain Tariq, Minister Rana Tanveer responded to sharp inquiries from committee members regarding current national wheat reserves and import rationales.
Key Highlights from the Parliamentary Session:
- Price Discrepancy & Local Support: Minister Rana Tanveer stated that if the domestic support price were adjusted to PKR 4,500 per maund, local farmers would be incentivized to invest in necessary fertilizers, leading to a surplus harvest and reducing reliance on foreign supply.
- Provincial Coordination Gaps: The minister noted that letters were dispatched to provincial governments suggesting a price adjustment to PKR 3,800 per maund to address availability issues, but no formal responses were received from the provinces.
- National Stock Position: Addressing questions from committee member Rana Hayat regarding why foreign wheat was being considered while local stocks exist, the federal minister clarified that after accounting for Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan allocations, the federal government currently holds approximately 1 million metric tons of wheat reserves.
- Prime Ministerial Backing: The minister reiterated that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif supports establishing a national support price to protect agricultural producers and stabilize market rates.
📊 Fact-Sheet Summary
- Spokesperson: Rana Tanveer Hussain (Federal Minister for National Food Security & Research).
- Committee: National Assembly Standing Committee on Food Security (Chaired by Syed Hussain Tariq).
- Federal Reserves: ~1 million metric tons (after AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan allocations).
- Import Price Estimate: PKR 4,200 – PKR 4,300 per maund.
- Proposed Farmers’ Target Price: PKR 4,500 per maund (to incentivize surplus production).
