ISLAMABAD, Jan 7: Pakistan does not face any shortage of wheat during the current year, as it has over 2.6 million tons of commodity in its stocks (including 2.2 million with the public sector) , said Wheat Commissioner of the ministry of food and agriculture, Dr Qadir Bux Baloch, while talking to Dawn.

Mr Baloch said in view of the experience gained in the current year of placing major reliance on the private sector to meet the requirements of the people, the government was likely to procure nearly 5 million tons of commodity next year.

He said the figure of 19.25 million tons as the size of wheat harvest, 2003-04, given by the government had proved to be correct, as it was based on sound statistical principles. "The vested interest, however, contested the figure and went on to create artificial shortage to satisfy its lust for fat profit. This was akin to the battle of figures waged by the vested interest in respect of the cotton harvest," he observed.

The wheat commissioner said his ministry, taking notice of the rising prices of wheat and flour, had asked the Punjab Food Department to increase its releases from 13,000 tons to 18,000 tons per day. This had already cast a salutary effect on the market prices, he added.