Wheat procurement issues: PM forms body to address farmers’ concerns

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday taking notice of the issues faced by the farmers in selling their wheat and obtaining wheat bags, formed a committee under Ministry of National Food Security and Research to address their grievances.

Under the direction of the prime minister, the committee would take measures to address the farmers’ concerns within four days.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a high level emergency meeting here to review the matters of wheat procurement through Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation (PASSCO).

The meeting was attended by federal ministers Rana Tanveer Hussain, Attaullah Tarar, and other relevant officials.

In the meeting, the prime minister expressed his concern over the difficulties faced by farmers in obtaining fair prices for their wheat crop and directed the authorities to take immediate action to resolve the issue.

The federal government, through PASSCO, is procuring 1.8 million metric tons of wheat to ensure maximum benefit to farmers, he said.

The Prime Minister directed the concerned officials to personally monitor the wheat procurement process and ensure that farmers receive their due payments on time.

The prime minister emphasized that the government will not compromise on the economic protection of farmers and will take all necessary steps to ensure their well-being. He also praised the bumper wheat crop this year.

On the other hand, PM Shehbaz also formed a fact-finding committee to ascertain the irregularities in the wheat import last year despite a “bumper crop”, excessing the stock leaving Balochistan and Punjab governments unable to purchase the crop from the farmers.

The prime minister asked the relevant officials about the import of wheat last year and why the decision was taken to import the commodity despite foreseeing a bumper crop.

Due to the non-purchase of wheat by the provincial governments, wheat is being sold at a lower price than the official rate. The stock surplus is attributed to Kakar-led caretaker government allowing import of 2,758,226 226 metric tonnes of wheat till Feb 2024.

Furthermore, the federal government has also removed Federal Secretary National Food Security and Research Division Captain (retd) Muhammad Asif from his post.