ISLAMABAD: In a bid to resolve the wheat seed issue among the provinces, the Ministry of National Food Security and Research has called upon the provincial food departments to facilitate inter-provincial movement of wheat seeds on a priority basis.

Despite seed companies adhering to all agreed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), the movement of wheat seeds between provinces has reportedly been hindered.

To address the issue, a meeting was held on the prime minister’s directives in Islamabad on Wednesday.

During the meeting, chaired by National Food Security and Research Secretary Amir Muhyuddin, the provincial food departments clarified that all seed convoys with the necessary movement documentation were being allowed, and assured that instructions had been issued to food department authorities to facilitate the movement of wheat seeds as a priority.

A high-level supervisory committee, led by Mr Muhyuddin, has also been established to meet weekly on Wednesdays to monitor and review the progress of the inter-provincial wheat seed movement.

Furthermore, it was decided that officers from the Federal Seed Certi-fication and Research and Develop-ment will be deputed at check-posts on all inter-provincial routes connecting Punjab to other provinces.

These officers will assist the food departments in the timely verification and movement of wheat seeds across provincial borders.

The meeting was attended by the secretaries of provincial agriculture and food departments, directors general of agriculture, and senior officials from the Ministry of National Food Security and Research.

Published in Dawn, October 30th, 2025