Wheat flour prices: KP govt raises its concerns over ‘discrepancies’ in PBS data

ISLAMABAD: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government raised concerns over “discrepancies” in the data of wheat flour prices collected by provincial departments and the Bureau of Statistics (PBS).

The KP government raised the concern at a national coordination meeting held here on Thursday. The provincial governments, however, reported strong progress on wheat seed distribution ahead of sowing season.

At the weekly review meeting chaired by Secretary of the Ministry of National Food Security and Research (MNFSR) Amir Mohyuddin, officials from Punjab, Sindh, KP, Balochistan, and provincial food departments shared updates on seed movement, sowing progress, and storage planning.

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KP officials pointed to inconsistencies between wheat flour prices reported by provincial departments and those published by PBS. The MNFSR acknowledged the concern and assured the KP government that it would contact the PBS to put in place a transparent and verifiable price monitoring mechanism.

During the review of inter-provincial seed movement, Punjab reported that all provincial seed requirements for the current sowing season are met. The province supplied 168,000 metric tonnes of private-sector seed and 196,000 metric tonnes produced by the Punjab Seed Corporation. Allocations included 23,000 metric tonnes to Balochistan, 82,000 metric tonnes to Sindh, 22,000 metric tonnes to KP, and 41,000 metric tonnes retained within Punjab.

Daily convoy tracking and check-post monitoring confirmed unhindered movement, a report validated by FSC&RD. Meanwhile, the Ministry noted that certain seed companies had filed a petition in the High Court challenging existing seed movement SOPs, and assured full federal legal support.

Reviewing sowing activity, MNFSR said provinces were showing “strong and accelerated momentum,” aided by a timely recession of floodwaters, improved land access, and better availability of certified seed.

Punjab reported sowing on 1.25 crore acres—75 percent of its 1.65 crore-acre target. Officials attributed rapid progress to early land availability after floods and attractive subsidies of Rs 500 per bag (Punjab Seed Corporation) and Rs 550 per bag through private companies.

The MNFSR Secretary noted that media reports of a projected 20 percent increase in sowing and the indicative National Wheat Policy price of Rs 3,500 per 40 kg had boosted farmer confidence.

Sindh reported sowing on 533,000 hectares, with the DG Extension noting robust certified seed availability. The province expects to achieve 85 percent of its target by the end of November as it moves through the peak sowing window.

KP reported sowing on 461,000 hectares—59 percent of its 781,000-hectare target. Officials said progress had been slower in areas under sugarcane and rice but was expected to accelerate by late November, with the sowing window open until 15 December.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2025