Islamabad: Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif said on Tuesday that the government would announce the wheat price after consulting the provinces, stressing that it should be determined before sowing begins.
Chairing the first meeting of the National Agriculture and Food Security Council, Shehbaz said the decision must balance adequate compensation for farmers with affordable wheat for consumers.
He said sufficient wheat stocks were available to meet domestic requirements and warned that those hoarding the commodity would receive no leniency. The meeting did not announce a new price.
Separately, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar chaired the seventh meeting of the steering committee overseeing wheat imports for food year 2026–27.
According to an official statement, Dar said sufficient supplies had been arranged against provincial demand. The first shipment was scheduled to reach Karachi before the end of October.
He directed that imported wheat and Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation stocks already allocated to provinces be used to stabilise prices and provide relief to consumers.
The pricing decision remains pending as growers prepare for the Rabi season. Wheat cultivation and production targets had been deferred until the indicative price was announced.
Moreover, the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) had projected a 22 percent water deficit for Punjab and Sindh during the season, adding to concerns over crop planning.
At Tuesday’s council meeting, Shehbaz said affordable fertilisers, quality seeds, modern machinery and more efficient water use were government priorities.
He pledged federal support for provincial agricultural development and emphasised fair crop prices, particularly for small and medium farmers. Provincial representatives briefed the council on measures to support growers.
