ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani Monday directed Ministry of Food and Agriculture to import additional 2.5 million tons of wheat, including the 1.5 million tons already approved by the Economic Coordination Committee. Chairing a meeting to review food situation in the country, the Prime Minister said the imported wheat would be in addition to procurements from local market in order to build strategic reserves for meeting country’s future requirements.
The Prime Minister termed food shortage a global phenomenon whose effects were being felt in every country including Pakistan and the government was taking timely measures for meeting these challenges. He said ensuring food security particularly of a staple item like wheat was the top most priority of the government and the leadership of the coalition partners was fully committed in this regard.
The Prime Minister said provincial governments and law enforcement agencies had been asked to take effective measures for controlling smuggling and hoarding of wheat besides taking strict action against profiteers. Secretary MINFAL Ziaur Rehman briefed the meeting about the wheat procurement situation in the country and said targets of procurement would be ensured in all four provinces, besides active buying by the PASCO itself. The meeting also reviewed the rice stocks and supply situation and expressed satisfaction over situation of rice in the country. The Prime Minister was told that the country had surplus reserves of Irri, the most widely consumed variety of rice in Pakistan.-SANA
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