KARACHI, May 22: The Trading Corporation of Pakistan said on Thursday it had withdrawn a tender to import 75,000 metric tons of white wheat issued last week while increasing by the same quantity the amount sought in another tender.

The TCP also changed the date for the tender to June 14 from June 7, while increasing the quantity sought to 250,000 tons from 175,000 tons.

The government has lifted a 10 per cent duty on imported wheat, a cabinet minister said, as the government tries to ensure smooth supplies in the face of lower than expected domestic output this year.

Pakistan expects wheat output of 21.8 million tons from the 2007-08 crop compared with a target of 24 million tons.

Domestic consumption is about 23 million tons a year.

—Reuters