Provincial Governments to provide 0.5 m tons wheat for mills
By Tariq Chaudary

ISLAMABAD—Provincial governments are providing 0.5 million tons wheat per month to the flour mills which will be further increased by 20 percent during the current month. This was stated by the Caretaker Federal Minister for Food, Agriculture and Livestock Prince Isa Jan here Saturday.
He said this supply ratio would be further increased by 20 percent during the next month (January) to avert any flour shortage in the country. The Minister said that current wheat stock position was satisfactory and there was enough reserves of wheat to tackle domestic consumption in the country. He informed that MINFAL is being providing about 50,000 tonnes wheat to Utility Stores Corporation for flour supply at the rate of Rs.260 per 20 kg bag.
Isa Jan said that government has allowed Trading orporation of Pakistan (TCP) to import one million tonnes wheat, and added that 0.8 million wheat was purchased and 26,000 tonnes of wheat have already reached at Karachi.
This bumper stock of wheat is sufficient for domestic consumption up to next growing season in the country, he added. Minister said that Prime Minister has directed the ports and shipping authorities to provide all basic facilities to the importers of the wheat.
Prime Minister has also directed the relevant authorities to discourage smuggling, hoarding and black-marketing to provide flour at economical rates, he said.