KARACHI: The Sindh government has openly opposed the federal government’s consideration of wheat imports, arguing that such a move would undermine local farmers already struggling under inconsistent policies.
Speaking on a private TV program, Sindh Food Minister Makhdoom Mehboob-uz-Zaman said imported wheat would “harm domestic growers” and exacerbate the policy missteps that have repeatedly left Pakistan’s agriculture sector in disarray.
He pointed out that while Punjab is restricting inter-provincial wheat movement, it holds a surplus of nearly seven million metric tonnes, whereas Sindh faces a shortage of about one million tonnes.
The minister stressed that Sindh intends to meet its requirements by purchasing wheat from the Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation (PASSCO), rather than relying on imports, noting that flour prices in Karachi have already surged to between Rs130 and Rs140 per kilogram, burdening consumers amid the ongoing crisis.
It is pertinent to mention here that this stance comes days after federal and provincial officials met to address looming shortages.
Punjab had demanded one million tonnes from federal reserves, while Sindh sought at least 220,000 tonnes. The meeting, chaired by Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Cheema, also reviewed the option of imports but deferred a final decision pending written submissions from all provinces.
The shortages are rooted in two critical policy decisions: the withdrawal of the wheat support price two years ago under an International Monetary Fund (IMF) condition without a credible alternative, and the failure of provinces to procure sufficient quantities from farmers this season.
Punjab managed only 480,000 tonnes against a target of three million, while Sindh secured just over 200,000 tonnes.
According to some analysts, Sindh’s opposition underscores the broader paradox: despite being an agrarian country, Pakistan continues to rely on ad hoc fixes and short-term measures.
With Punjab unable to trace nearly four million tonnes believed to be hoarded and flour prices climbing in urban centers, the debate over imports highlights the absence of structural reforms in procurement, pricing, and storage — leaving both farmers and consumers at risk.
