ISLAMABAD, Jan 7: While discussing the country’s worst-ever food crisis, the caretaker government on Monday found fault with the smuggling/export and large-scale hoarding of wheat and flour due to the fact that the commodity in Pakistan was the ‘cheapest in the world’.

Moreover, it was informed that another reason for the crisis was a jump in flour price from Rs360 to Rs490 for a 20-kg bag. It was decided that the loadshedding to flourmills would be planned and coordinated with the Water and Power and Development Authority.

The meeting was assured that the crisis would be over in two to four weeks. Flour is being supplied at utility stores for Rs260 per 20-kg bag.

Caretaker Prime Minister Mohammedmian Soomro presided over the meeting. It was attended by the federal minister for food and agriculture, food ministers from Punjab, Sindh and the NWFP, deputy chairman of the planning commission and Federal Board of Revenue chairman.

The prime minister took serious notice of the reports of massive hoarding of food items. He asked the provincial governments to specifically monitor the releases and milling of wheat as well as establish centres for sale of flour. Besides, he said the provinces should also enhance their capacity of storage of wheat so that the government always had sufficient wheat in reserve.

The meeting was informed that the shortage was caused as about one million tonnes of wheat was smuggled and 1.7 million tonnes hoarded.

Additional half a million tonnes of wheat will be imported in accordance with the decision of the Economic Coordination Committee if required after taking into account its availability.

It was decided that the inter-provincial movement of wheat would be made foolproof to end shortage.

The meeting was informed that the ministry of food was supplying 32,000 tonnes of wheat to the provinces. The law and order situation created following Benazir Bhutto’s assassination also disrupted milling and transportation of wheat.

While taking stock of wheat availability, the meeting was told that out of 23 million tonnes produced, 13.5 million tonnes had been kept by growers for their own consumption, about one million tonnes were retained as seed for the next crop, about half a million tonnes had been exported, one million tonnes were purchased by flourmills and the government had procured 4.3 million tonnes. Remaining 2.7 million tonnes were with the private sector. Out of which about a million tonnes are thought to have crossed the borders while 1.7 million tonnes are available with the hoarders.

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.