Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday approved the procurement of one million metric tonnes of wheat from Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation (PASSCO) to help stabilize wheat and flour prices across the province.
Chairing a special video-link meeting to review the wheat and flour situation, the chief minister approved the purchase plan under which wheat would be obtained from PASSCO and supplied to flour mills at Rs 3,300 per maund to ensure the availability of affordable flour and bread for consumers.
The meeting also reviewed concerns regarding reports of restrictions on the supply of wheat from Punjab to other provinces, particularly Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh.
A detailed report presented during the meeting stated that claims about restrictions on wheat movement from Punjab to any province were not supported by facts. Officials further informed the participants that no complaint had been received regarding the suspension of wheat supplies to Sindh.
During the briefing, officials said the process of wheat stock declaration was continuing across the province and comprehensive data collection was underway to assess and meet Punjab’s food requirements. They added that grain size of the current wheat crop was comparatively smaller than usual.
The meeting decided that after fulfilling its own food requirements, Punjab would continue to discharge its responsibility of supplying wheat to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz directed the relevant authorities to maintain close monitoring of the wheat situation and ensure effective measures to safeguard consumers’ interests and maintain stability in the wheat and flour market.
Separately, Maryam Nawaz Sharif has commended the security forces for their successful operation against terrorists in Balochistan’s Basima district.
The chief minister paid tribute to the security forces for eliminating 14 terrorists during the operation. She also lauded the bravery and sacrifice of Pakistan Army Lance Havaldar Muhammad Abbas, who embraced martyrdom while fighting valiantly against the terrorists.
CM Maryam Nawaz expressed her heartfelt condolences and sympathy to the bereaved family of Shaheed Muhammad Abbas and paid tribute to his supreme sacrifice in the line of duty.