Prime Minister Imran Khan was apprised on Tuesday during a meeting that an additional one million tonnes of imported wheat would reach the country next month to ensure availability of the commodity for citizens at affordable rates.
“About 400,000 metric tonnes of wheat has so far been imported by the private sector,” Premier Imran was informed while chairing a meeting to review availability and prices of wheat and sugar in the country.
The meeting was attended by Minister for National Food Security Syed Fakhar Imam, Minister for Industries Muhammad Hamad Azhar, PM's Adviser Abdul Razak Dawood, PM's Special Assistant Dr Shahbaz Gill, secretaries concerned, chief secretaries and senior officials.
PM Imran told the participants that wheat and sugar were among the basic needs of people, so its availability at affordable prices should be ensured.
He also directed that sufficient availability of wheat, considering the local requirements and consumption, should also be ensured.
A detailed report regarding the situation about availability of wheat, and its import at the official and private level was also submitted before the prime minister.
It was apprised that about 400,000 metric tonnes of wheat had so far been imported by the private whereas an additional import of 1,000,000 tonnes would reach the country next month.
The Trading Corporation of Pakistan chairman apprised the premier that at the official level, about 1.5 million metric tonnes of wheat was being imported.
“For procurement of an additional 330,000 metric tonnes of wheat, a tender has been floated followed by others,” the TCP chairman said, adding that besides, from government to government level agreement, wheat was also being imported.
The prime minister directed that he should be apprised regularly of the progress on import of wheat. It was further apprised that under the government's decision, sugar import continued and it was being ensured that there should be no gap in its demand and supply.
The Punjab chief secretary apprised the prime minister that sugar mills were bound to start crushing season from November 15.
Under the law, any delay in the crushing process would entail a fine of Rs5 million per day.
Separately, PM Imran presided over a meeting to review the current demand and supply situation of gas in the country, with particular focus on the situation during the next few months.
Minister for Industries Muhammad Hammad Azhar, Minister for Planning Asad Umar, Minister for Energy Umar Ayub, Adviser on Finance Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, Adviser on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood, Special Assistant to the PM on Petroleum Nadeem Babar and other senior officers were in attendance.
The meeting was briefed in detail about the current demand and supply situation of gas in the country, reduction in local gas production, and necessary arrangements being made to meet the demand.
It was also briefed about the gap in demand and supply situation of the gas during the next few months, particularly December and January, and the necessary measures being taken to overcome it.
The prime minister was told that owing to the reduction in local gas production and difference of prices between local and imported gas, full cooperation of all the provinces was required to meet the demand of gas during the next few months, especially the demand of domestic consumers.
The meeting was told that the laying of new pipeline would ensure the supply of 100-150 MMCFD gas.
Regarding the matter of Right of Way, the Sindh government was being requested so that it was implemented as soon as possible.
The prime minister on the occasion directed that in view of the gap in demand and supply situation of gas during the next few months, a full-fledged public awareness campaign should be run for possible preservation of gas. (With input from app
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