• Food dept has procured only 79,835 tonnes of staple against 1m tonnes target due to difference between support price and market rate, meeting told
• CM says govt will not allow any speculator to toy with provincial food security

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has expressed serious concern over rising prices of wheat in the open market and made it clear that he will not allow hoarders to undermine provincial food security and price stability.

Chairing a meeting here at CM House, Mr Shah was informed that due to disparity between the government’s support price and market rate, the Food Department, as of June 4, procured only 79,835.66 metric tons of wheat against the target of one million metric tons.

It may be noted that the wheat procurement failure had already triggered a 25 per cent surge in the open market. In Karachi, wheat is trading at Rs11,100 per 100 kilograms while in Hyderabad, the price has reached up to Rs10,900.

As a result, the retail flour prices have jumped to between Rs135 and Rs140 per kg — vastly exceeding the government’s officially notified subsidised rate of Rs107 per kg.

Against this backdrop, the CM convened the meeting on Friday to review the widening price gap between the official support price and open market rates, and the risks posed by speculative stockpiling of wheat, said a press release issued by the CM House.

He directed the provincial authorities to regulate the market to protect consumers from an artificial hike in flour prices.

“This speculation-based hoarding directly undermines provincial food security and price stability,” CM Shah said, adding: “Our first responsibility is to the people of Sindh. Wheat must remain available, affordable and secure. We will not allow any speculator to play with the staple food of our citizens.”

The meeting was informed that in line with the March 31 decision of the Sindh cabinet, wheat procurement for the 2025-26 crop commenced on April 1, with a target of one million metric tons.

The government had fixed the support price at Rs3,500 per 40 kg, with a bardana payment of Rs60 per 50 kg bag. The scheme targeted 332,090 beneficiaries of the Sindh Wheat Growers Support Programme 2025.

However, as of June 4, the Food Department procured only 79,835.66 metric tons of wheat against the target of one million metric tons, the officials said.

The CM reaffirmed his government’s commitment to protecting the interests of both farmers and consumers. “Wheat is not just a commodity — it is the staple food of our people and a cornerstone of social stability,” he said.

He said that his government would do everything necessary, in partnership with growers, millers, traders and the federal authorities, to guarantee stable supplies and fair prices. “Speculation and artificial shortages will not be allowed to undermine the rights of our citizens.”

The CM directed the Food Department and other relevant agencies to submit regular progress reports on regulations.

“The people of Sindh expect us to act with urgency and responsibility. We will not disappoint them,” the CM said.

The meeting was attended by provincial ministers Mukesh Kumar Chawla, Muhammad Bux Khan Mahar, Jam Khan Shoro, Makhdoom Mahboob Zaman, Adviser Gianchand Israni, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, Secretary to CM Asif Jameel, Agriculture Secretary Zaman Narejo and other concerned.

Published in Dawn, June 6th, 2026