Govt to ensure adequate wheat, fuel supplies: Ahad Cheema

Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Cheema on Thursday said the government would ensure adequate supplies of wheat and petroleum products across the country, while warning of strict action against hoarding and profiteering to prevent any artificial shortages.

The development comes as the minister chaired a high-level meeting to review the country’s wheat situation and assess the current demand and supply position across the provinces.

The participants conducted a comprehensive review of wheat production, existing stocks, and the overall demand and supply situation in the country. The chief secretaries informed the meeting that the demand and supply situation in their respective provinces remains normal at present. They, however, indicated that their provinces might require additional wheat from the federal government to meet future requirements and ensure uninterrupted availability.

Addressing the meeting, Cheema emphasised that the federal government would try its level best to fulfill the wheat requirements of the provinces from PASSCO stocks.

He said the government’s foremost priority was to safeguard the interests of both the public and farmers while ensuring uninterrupted availability of wheat across the country. He stressed that every decision regarding wheat management would be taken keeping in view domestic production, market conditions, and the welfare of local farmers.

The minister further directed all relevant authorities to maintain strict vigilance against hoarding and market manipulation to ensure sufficient wheat availability in the market before the upcoming sowing season.

Federal Minister for National Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain informed the meeting that PASSCO would extend full support and facilitate provincial governments in ensuring smooth wheat management and availability.

Concluding the discussion on wheat, the minister directed all stakeholders to maintain close coordination and continuously monitor the situation so that timely decisions could be taken to ensure food security, market stability, and protection of farmers’ interests.

The meeting also reviewed the availability of petroleum products and discussed concerns regarding the hoarding of fuel by certain Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs). Chairperson OGRA, Nabeel Ahmad Awan, participated in the meeting, during which the prevailing fuel supply situation and enforcement measures were reviewed in detail.

Ahad Cheema and the Secretary Establishment urged all provincial chief secretaries to take immediate and effective action against petrol pumps and OMCs found involved in hoarding fuel or attempting to exploit the prevailing regional situation for undue profiteering.

The provincial chief secretaries assured the meeting that their respective administrations would work in close coordination with OGRA’s designated officials to curb hoarding and ensure uninterrupted fuel supplies across the country.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment to maintaining energy security, the minister said Pakistan had sufficient stocks of petroleum products and there was no shortage of fuel in the country.

He made it clear that the government would not allow any OMC or petrol pump to create an artificial shortage for profiteering. He added that while the government did not intend to harass legitimate businesses, it would not hesitate to take strict action in accordance with the law against anyone involved in hoarding, profiteering, or disrupting the smooth supply of essential commodities.