'No shortage of essential food items in Pakistan'

Sufficient quantity of wheat, rice, maize, potato and other food items available, high-level forum told

There is no shortage of essential food items as wheat, rice, maize, potato and other essential food items are sufficient in stock to cater for food security, a high-level meeting was told.

This was briefed by Secretary Food to Planning Minister and Deputy Chairman NFRCC Ahsan Iqbal, NDMA Chairman Lieutenant General Akhter Nawaz and National Coordinator NFRCC Major General Muhammad Zafar Iqbal.

According to a statement, the forum was apprised of the latest update on the flood situation in the country. the secretary food presented a detailed update regarding wheat stocks in the country and ensured that no shortage of wheat, rice, maize and sugar is expected in the future as sufficient stocks are already available in the country which remained secured during the recent flooding.

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He also explained that there is no shortage of essential food items in the country and the reports in this regard are false and baseless.

He said that Pakistan's annual requirement of wheat is 30.5 million tonnes whereas 2 million tonnes are strategic reserves, adding that presently, 7.07 million tonnes including 2 million tonnes for seeds are available in the country which is approximately 153 days of stock.

He said that the available stock is sufficient till the time new wheat production will be harvested. Moreover, he added, early procurement of seeds will be ensured for the next season.

The forum was also informed that the import of tomato and onion on the fast track is in progress. However, it was told that problems are being faced due to damaged communication infrastructure in flood-affected areas.