Islamabad: Minister for National Food Security and Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain, affirmed that there is no wheat shortage in the country, attributing recent price hikes to artificial manipulation. According to Radio Pakistan, the minister addressed a news conference in Islamabad, where he emphasized the government’s commitment to resolving price instability under the Prime Minister’s directives, urging provincial authorities to manage the issue promptly.

The minister highlighted agriculture’s central role in Pakistan’s economy, noting the Prime Minister’s dedication to its advancement. He stressed the importance of leveraging innovations and modern technology to enhance the agricultural sector. The government has set the wheat support price at 4,500 rupees per 40 kilograms, aiming to stabilize prices and support farmers amid rising production costs, including electricity, fertilizer, and seed expenses.

Rana Tanveer Hussain described the price setting as a balanced strategy to support farmers and increase domestic production. He expressed confidence that the new support price would encourage farmers to expand wheat cultivation and invest in agricultural inputs, potentially leading to a wheat surplus in the next season. The minister also anticipated that the favorable support price would enable Pakistan to export wheat in the coming year.