Moonis wants govt agencies to supply wheat to Punjab

Elahi writes to PM seeking immediate supply to avert flour crisis

Our Correspondent October 21, 2022

The country is facing at least three million tons of wheat shortage and the government has so far taken decisions for the import of 800,000 tons. Photo: file

LAHORE:

Telling Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to stop “manipulating words”, Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi’s son Chaudhry Moonis Elahi on Thursday said that the provincial government had asked for wheat from the private sector, rather they want one million tonnes of wheat through federal agencies PASCO or TCP.

In a tweet, he responded to the premier’s claims that the provincial government was demanding permission to procure wheat from the private sector, which is something he would not allow.

Moonis added that the provincial government would pay for the wheat it has asked for.

Earlier, facing a possible flour crisis in Punjab, the chief minister wrote a letter to the prime minister for the immediate supply of wheat, wherein he also expressed concern over the lack of supply.

Pervaiz said that the sudden refusal of wheat supply to the province after continuous assurances was inappropriate and may lead to a flour crisis in Punjab.

The letter stated that the federal government should start supplying wheat to Punjab without delay.

From May to October, Punjab wrote several letters to the federation in this regard and the Federal Ministry of National Food Security assured the supply of wheat each time.

However, on September 29, through a letter, the supply of wheat was refused.

The chief minister demanded that 1 million tonnes of wheat should be provided to Punjab while 0.3 million tonnes should be given immediately.

According to Express News, the prime minister has directed the Federal Ministry of Finance and National Food Security to take immediate measures, saying that all legal and commercial measures should be taken to supply wheat to Punjab.

PM Shahbaz also said that the flour requirements of the people of Punjab should be ensured.

Moonis, while confirming the letter, said that they were not being allowed to import wheat while the federal government had refused to give them their share.

He alleged that the federal government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shahbaz, was oppressing the people of Punjab.