Report: FT
ISLAMABAD –Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar chaired a high-level meeting of the Cabinet Committee to review the stock position, pricing and supply of essential commodities.
The meeting conducted a comprehensive review of national reserves, procurement mechanisms, domestic consumption and prevailing price trends. The Committee was informed that domestic stocks of essential commodities remained adequate to ensure stability in local supplies.
Regarding wheat, the meeting was briefed that domestic stocks, along with imported wheat, were sufficient to meet requirements until the next harvest. However, expressing concern over the rising trend in wheat prices, the Deputy Prime Minister directed federal and provincial governments to take all necessary measures, including increasing wheat supplies, to stabilise prices.
On sugar, the Committee was informed that prices in the domestic market were well below the targeted retail price of Rs. 155 per kilogram, with surplus stocks available to meet demand until the next crushing season.
Senator Ishaq Dar emphasised that safeguarding national food security and ensuring the availability of essential commodities at reasonable prices remained a government priority. He directed federal and provincial authorities to closely monitor market networks and maintain zero tolerance for hoarding and market speculation.
The meeting was attended by the Minister for National Food Security and Research and Climate Change, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Bajwa, secretaries of the National Food Security and Research and Commerce divisions, chief secretaries of all provinces, and senior officials from relevant federal and provincial departments.
