Federal Minister for National Food Security & Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain on Thursday directed the concerned authorities to take strict action against bogus seed companies involved in the illegal movement and trade of wheat seed. The minister chaired the meeting of the National Wheat Oversight Committee (NWOC), which was also attended by senior officials of the Ministry, representatives of provincial governments, and other relevant stakeholders.
The meeting reviewed key matters relating to wheat procurement, seed regulation, wheat policy, and production data. The committee deliberated on complaints against the seizure of the wheat seed stocks by the provincial government of Punjab submitted by seed companies.
Punjab government clarified that the seed companies in the garb of wheat stocks, are selling the wheat in the market and the action has been taken against them only.
It was decided that the Federal Seed Certification and Registration Department (FSC&RD) will share the seed stock data with the Government of Punjab to be updated in their portal which will support the stock verification process.
During the discussion, the Minister emphasized the importance of maintaining transparency and legality in the seed sector.
He directed the concerned authorities to take strict action against bogus seed companies involved in the illegal movement and trade of wheat seed.
He underscored that no compromise would be made on regulatory compliance and that all stakeholders must operate within the legal framework to safeguard the interests of farmers and ensure the availability of quality seed.
The meeting also reviewed provincial feedback on the proposed National Wheat Policy 2026–2030.
The Minister highlighted the significance of developing a comprehensive and forward-looking wheat policy capable of addressing emerging challenges in production, procurement, storage of wheat, and ensuring national food security.
To ensure timely finalization of the policy, all provinces were given a period till 20th June to submit their detailed feedback and recommendations on national Wheat policy. The committee was briefed on the current status of wheat procurement across the country. It was informed that procurement activities are progressing smoothly and remain underway in all provinces.
Provincial representatives expressed confidence in achieving their respective procurement targets.
The minister appreciated the efforts of provincial authorities and directed all concerned departments to maintain close coordination to ensure the successful completion of procurement operations in a transparent and efficient manner. The meeting further reviewed the final wheat production figures submitted by the provinces for the 2025–26 crop season. It was noted that the Provinces of Punjab and Sindh have submitted their final figures, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan require additional time to finalize and submit their data.
Speaking on the occasion, the Federal Minister said that the government remains fully committed to ensuring food security, protecting farmers’ interests, strengthening agricultural governance, and enhancing the efficiency of wheat procurement and distribution systems. He stressed that coordinated efforts between the Federal Government and provinces are essential for achieving sustainable growth in the agriculture sector and ensuring long-term food security for the country.
The meeting concluded with a commitment from all stakeholders to continue working collectively towards improving wheat management, ensuring market stability, and supporting Pakistan’s agricultural development objectives.