Key Takeaways
- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated that wheat is available in sufficient quantities for domestic needs.
- He vowed no leniency for those hoarding wheat and emphasized the need for fair pricing.
- The meeting focused on agricultural development and ensuring fair prices for farmers.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif assured the availability of sufficient wheat for domestic needs during a meeting of the National Agricultural and Food Security Council (NAFSC) in Islamabad.
Addressing the meeting, PM Sharif stated, 'No leniency will be shown to those hoarding wheat,' according to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
He highlighted the importance of determining the fair price of wheat before sowing to ensure farmers receive appropriate compensation.
The prime minister added, 'We want farmers to get the fair price for wheat and for consumers to have affordable wheat,' emphasizing the dual objective of the policy.
The decision regarding the price of wheat would be made in consultation with the provinces, and the consultation process was expected to be completed soon.
PM Sharif termed agriculture the 'backbone of the national economy' and said it could set Pakistan’s economy on the path to growth in the short term.
During the meeting, the prime minister commended Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz for her efforts in farmers' development, aquaculture, shrimp farming, and providing direct subsidies to farmers through the Kisan Card.
The Sindh Food Minister Makhdoom Mehboob uz Zaman was also praised for his work in developing farmers, according to the PMO.
The prime minister noted that the livestock sector had vast potential to increase national exports, with measures being taken to boost the export of Pakistani halal meat.
He added that the federal government would provide all kinds of support to the provinces for the development of agriculture, including providing fertilizers, quality seeds, modern machinery, and equipment at low cost.
The meeting also discussed measures for the development of agriculture in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan.
No leniency will be shown to those hoarding wheat.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Prime Minister of Pakistan
We want farmers to get the fair price for wheat and for consumers to have affordable wheat.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Prime Minister of Pakistan
