Attock: Rejecting rumours regarding an alleged shortage of wheat and flour in Punjab. District Food Controller (DFC) Attock Shams Abbas has said that the province is fully capable of meeting its food requirements and that quality flour is available in sufficient quantities across markets.
He said there was no need for the public to stand in queues or resort to panic buying. as adequate stocks of flour were available throughout the province.
‘All rumours being spread regarding a shortage of wheat and flour are baseless. Quality flour is readily available in markets and bazaars. and there is no situation anywhere that requires people to stand in long queues to obtain flour. ‘ Shams Abbas said.
He stated that. unlike flour crises witnessed in the past. the present situation remained stable. with the government ensuring not only an uninterrupted supply of flour but also maintaining strict standards of quality.
According to the DFC. Punjab produced approximately 21. 9 million metric tonnes of wheat this year. while the province’s annual requirement stands at around 16. 5 million metric tonnes.
He said this meant Punjab had produced approximately 33 percent more wheat than its own requirement. leaving a surplus of nearly 5. 4 million metric tonnes. which could play an important role in meeting the food requirements of other provinces.
Shams Abbas said the Punjab government. through the Aggregator Model and Forward Contracting. had procured approximately 500. 000 metric tonnes of wheat at a minimum price of Rs3. 500 per 40 kilograms. while the prevailing market price of wheat currently stood at around Rs4. 700 per 40 kilograms.
He further said that wheat imports were not a new phenomenon in Pakistan. as the country had imported wheat in the past as well to ensure food security and maintain stability in the domestic market.
The DFC said the government’s current policy was primarily aimed at protecting farmers’ interests. ensuring the availability of flour to consumers at reasonable prices. and safeguarding food security across the country.
