Another vessel carrying wheat imported from Ukraine reaches Karachi

KARACHI: Another vessel namely MV Tailwinds carrying 65,000 metric tonnes of wheat from Ukraine reached Karachi on Sunday.

This import is part of the government’s efforts to ensure relief in wake of ongoing price hike of wheat flour which has surpassed over Rs 100 per kilogram in various parts of the country.

With the arrival of the second vessel, the total import of wheat from Ukraine has now reached 125,804 tonnes. A third vessel — MV Coventry — carrying 69,000 tonnes of wheat is scheduled to dock at Karachi Port on 8th September.

An inspection team of experts from the Department of Plant Protection (DPP) conducted a detailed inspection of the imported wheat in light of the requirements of Pakistan’s Import Permit.

Director-General DPP Dr Falak Naz supervised the inspection and wheat discharge activities at Karachi port.

Federal Secretary for Ministry of National Food Security and Research (MNFSR) Omar Hamid Khan contacted the chief secretaries of Sindh for seeking their support in unhindered inter-provincial movement of the imported wheat.

Earlier, Federal Secretary for the Food Security Ministry Omar Hamid Khan had visited Karachi consult all stakeholders involved in the wheat import-chain including Karachi Port Trust, wheat importers, plant quarantine authorities and the Sindh government.

He assured full support of the government to the private sector to deliver timely wheat supply to mills for curbing high prices of wheat flour.

He reiterated that wheat is a staple food and the government would take all necessary measures to keep it in the buying power of common masses.

The MNFSR had been regularly supervising all components of the wheat import chain and opting for a proactive approach to minimize the chances of any kind of delay.