September 26, 2003	Friday	Rajab 28, 1424

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ISLAMABAD, Sept 25: The government has decided to allow all the four provinces to release wheat from their stocks in the open market to fulfil public demands from Oct 1.

This decision was taken by Wheat Disposal Committee in its meeting here on Thursday, keeping in view the satisfactory stock position of wheat and in wake of coming holy month of Ramazan.

Federal Minister for Food, Agriculture and Livestock Sardar Yar Muhammad Rind presided over the meeting which was largely attended by representatives of provinces besides senior officials of the Ministries of Food and Agriculture, Finance and Commerce.

The committee asked the provinces to prepare stock positions and formulate a viable strategy for release of wheat on demand and supply basis of last three years.

The wheat disposal committee, while accepting the request of North West Frontier Province (NWFP), also decided to provide additional two lakh tons of wheat to the province.

The federal government has already provided 200,000 tons of wheat to the NWFP which has so far lifted 125,000 tons while 75,000 tons is yet to be taken.

The Sindh province was allowed to float tender for disposal of the leftover wheat stock of 65,000 metric tons of wheat.

It was also decided to consider matter relating to export of wheat in the next meeting to be held in the first week of November.

The wheat commissioner has been assigned the task to discuss with World Food Programme (WFP) for their future requirements.—APP