LAHORE: Punjab has abundant wheat reserves, with a record production of more than 22 million metric tonnes achieved this year, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said here on Thursday.

She was presiding over a meeting that decided to establish an AI-based advanced live dashboard to safeguard every grain of wheat in the province.

The meeting was informed that the live dashboard would play a pivotal role in ensuring foolproof food policymaking by monitoring wheat demand, supply, stock levels and price control mechanisms.

“The system will also enable day-to-day live digital monitoring of wheat stocks and the supply chain across Punjab,” she said.

The meeting approved allowing licenced aggregators and stockists to legally store wheat across the province, who would be bound to declare their wheat stocks.

CM Maryam directed the authorities to initiate strict legal action under the Anti-Hoarding Act against those failing to declare wheat stocks within two weeks.

“The government may offer incentives to aggregators who honestly declare their wheat reserves,” she said.

She also ordered a complete overhaul and revamping of the food department, in line with modern governance requirements.

The chief minister directed officials to keep roti and naan prices under control and ensure the availability of affordable flour to the public.

Meanwhile, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari told a press conference here that projects such as “Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar” and “Suthra Punjab” received strong appreciation from international delegates and global leaders at Baku.

She said Punjab had successfully achieved all wheat production targets this year, while both cultivation area and output have increased significantly.

She said that farmers were offered better returns than the officially announced support price, and wheat-related trade has exceeded Rs100 billion, reflecting strong agricultural performance and economic activity.

Bokhari clarified that Maryam Nawaz was invited to international forums purely on merit.

She said that Pakistan’s global image had improved significantly, and recent diplomatic engagements had strengthened the country’s standing.

Published in Dawn, May 22nd, 2026