Govt Prefers Wheat Imports

Notably, the federal administration has come under fire for failing to purchase sufficient wheat from local farmers while preferring imports.

Key points

• The committee, chaired by Moin Amir Pirzada, reviewed audit objections related to the Ministry of National Food Security for fiscal year 2024-25.
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• PAC directed the Ministry of National Food Security to brief the committee on the government's wheat and sugar policies at its next session on September 24.
• The committee additionally decided to invite office-holders of the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission for a briefing at the upcoming session.
• While farmers in Europe were provided substantial financial backing, former foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar remarked Pakistani farmers were not receiving adequate backing rates.

For context, the Public Accounts Committee on Tuesday expressed serious concern over the government's wheat and sugar policies and pressed a detailed investigation into wheat imports, procurement and losses suffered by farmers. PTA Halts Purchase of ONIC SIMs.

In practice, the committee, chaired by Moin Amir Pirzada, reviewed audit objections related to the Ministry of National Food Security for fiscal year 2024-25. While inadequate provincial procurement had further worsened the situation, audit authorities informed the committee that the wheat policy had caused significant losses to farmers.

Meanwhile, the authorities stated provinces had not purchased sufficient wheat from local farmers and that a consistent procurement policy was not being followed. Meanwhile, wheat was being imported, prompting the audit authorities to call for an investigation into the reasons behind the policy failures.

Secretary of the Ministry of National Food Security informed the committee that wheat procurement was the responsibility of the provinces and that the federal administration could not interfere in the process.

Nevertheless, PPP Senator Saleem Mandviwalla stated the federal administration controlled wheat imports. He cautioned that if farmers ceased cultivating wheat, Pakistan would have to spend valuable foreign exchange on importing the commodity.

PAC Chairman Moin Amir Pirzada remarked preparations were underway to import around one million tons of wheat. He additionally triggered concern over the government's decision to allow sugar exports and directed the relevant authorities to stop them.

While farmers in Europe were provided substantial financial backing, former foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar remarked Pakistani farmers were not receiving adequate backing rates. She questioned why foreign exchange was available for wheat imports but funds were not available to backing local farmers.

PTI lawmaker Rana Qasim Noon remarked the wheat policy had badly affected farmers and alleged that sugar mill owners had contributed to the decline of cotton cultivation. Mandviwalla remarked Pakistan faced a new wheat and sugar "scheme" every year and called on a long-term and consistent agricultural policy. IT Minister Inspects Fuel Stations Instead of Petroleum Minister.

For context, the committee additionally decided to invite office-holders of the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission for a briefing at the upcoming session. Stay Connected with ProPakistani.

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In short, govt Prefers Wheat Imports is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.