Khyber Pakhtunkhwa/ Pakistan

Punjab's Policies Have Triggered Wheat and Flour Price Hike Across Pakistan; Inter-Provincial Restrictions Must End Immediately.SACM Food Dr Muhammad Israr Khan

 

Restrictions on Wheat Movement to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Violate the Constitution; Procurement of 175,000 Metric Tons of Wheat from PASSCO Underway, Strict Action Continues Against Substandard Milk Entering KP

PESHAWAR:(Special Representative)According to Global times News Agancy Europe,Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Information and Public Relations Shafi Jan and the Chief Minister's Special Assistant for Food Dr Muhammad Israr Khan on Monday addressed a joint press conference at the Civil Secretariat, Peshawar, regarding the prevailing wheat and flour situation in the province.

Addressing the media, Dr Muhammad Israr Khan said that the Punjab government's flawed policies and unlawful restrictions on inter-provincial wheat movement have adversely affected flour prices not only in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa but across the country.He said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa requires approximately 5.4 million metric tons of wheat annually and out of this 3.8 MT depends on wheat supplies from Punjab and imported wheat to meet its consumption needs. He added that Punjab produces around 21.9 million metric tons of wheat annually against its domestic requirement of approximately 15 million metric tons, leaving an estimated 6 million metric tons surplus, which is sufficient to cater to the wheat requirements of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh and Balochistan.

Dr Israr Khan alleged that restrictions imposed on inter-provincial wheat transportation during the harvesting season caused substantial financial losses to farmers. He claimed that during the restrictions, investors purchased wheat from growers at government rates, while raids were conducted on farmers' storage facilities and wheat was procured through private companies. He further alleged that the wheat was later sold in the market at higher prices, resulting in an increase in wheat and flour prices. He also alleged that the Punjab government benefited through commissions from these companies.

The Special Assistant further claimed that dealers transporting wheat and flour to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are subjected to illegal extortion under the restriction of wheat, which directly contributes to higher flour prices in the province.He maintained that unnecessary restrictions on inter-provincial trade violate Article 151 of the Constitution, which guarantees free flow of wheat throughout Pakistan. Such restrictions, he said, have harmed not only Khyber Pakhtunkhwa but the national economy as a whole.Dr Israr Khan said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has signed an agreement with the Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation (PASSCO) to procure approximately 175,000 metric tons of wheat, of which 25,000 metric tons have already been purchased.

He stated that certain elements attempted to obstruct the implementation of the agreement; however, following negotiations with the federal government, wheat transportation has resumed. He credited Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Information Minister Shafi Jan and Adviser to the Chief Minister on Finance Muzammil Aslam for facilitating the restoration of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with PASSCO, adding that the transportation of procured wheat to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has already commenced.Calling upon the Punjab government to ensure uninterrupted wheat supplies to other provinces, Dr Israr Khan said that a province possessing surplus wheat should not create barriers to inter-provincial trade, as such restrictions undermine the national economy and public interest.He assured the public that the wheat market in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remains stable and there is no cause for concern. He added that the provincial government has alternative arrangements in place to address any future shortage, if required.

The Special Assistant further stated that political differences should not be allowed to undermine public welfare, warning that if restrictions on inter-provincial wheat transportation continue, the Punjab government would bear responsibility for the consequences.

On another issue, Dr Muhammad Israr Khan alleged that tankers carrying substandard and hazardous milk from Punjab attempt to enter Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Food Safety and Halal Food Authority, in coordination with other relevant departments, has established checkpoints and is taking strict action to intercept and prevent the entry of such milk into the province.He urged the Punjab government to take effective action at the source against those responsible for producing and supplying substandard milk in order to safeguard public health.