ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly was informed on Friday that the National Wheat Policy 2026-30 has been finalised in consultation with all provinces to ensure food security, stabilise wheat production, and streamline procurement and pricing mechanisms nationwide.
During the question hour session, Parliamentary Secretary Farah Naz said the policy will be submitted for cabinet approval before the 2026-27 budget.
She highlighted that the Ministry had implemented the Interim National Wheat Policy 2025-26, which marks a shift from a state-controlled system to a public-private partnership, while retaining a guaranteed indicative price of Rs3,500 per 40kg.
The policy, she explained, removes inter-provincial wheat movement restrictions, establishes a National Wheat Monitoring Committee, and provides for federal procurement to maintain strategic reserves.
She added that the government’s action plan for the next fiscal year emphasises a comprehensive agricultural roadmap, including mechanisation and the creation of the National Agri Trade and Food Safety Authority to boost exports.
Naz also noted the establishment of a National Seed Development and Regulatory Authority to modernise the seed sector, enhance regulation, and promote development of high-yield and climate-resilient crop varieties.
Responding to a calling attention notice, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhary informed the House that the government is pursuing a zero-tolerance policy on illegal immigration.
He stated that since 2023, 3,158 agents have been arrested, and action has been taken against FIA officials implicated in such crimes. He noted that Pakistan’s efforts against illegal immigration have been recognised internationally.
Regarding Pakistanis detained in Cambodia due to fraudulent overseas employment schemes, the minister said several have been repatriated with maximum facilitation.
Responding to a point of order by MNA Jamil Shah Kakar concerning the abduction of an 11-year-old girl from Peshawar and an alleged ransom demand of Rs1.5 million, Chaudhry said the child was being held in the jurisdiction of Kot Shahu police station in Shikarpur district, where a security operation is ongoing.
He added that, as discussed in the Senate a day earlier, the girl was allegedly in the custody of a suspect, Ali Gohar Jatoi, with members of his group claiming she had been “bought.”
The minister said a large-scale operation in the Katcha areas of Punjab had cleared all no-go zones. He added that similar initiatives were being undertaken by the Sindh government to address local security concerns. During the operation, one dacoit was killed, and law enforcement agencies were actively pursuing the case to recover the girl. Several women allegedly linked to the abduction have been arrested, and another Christian girl, Jennifer, was also recovered during the ongoing operation.
The operation is being conducted under the supervision of the Senior Superintendent of Police, in coordination with the Inspector General of Sindh Police.
On the walkout by parliamentary reporters, Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry assured the House that outstanding dues for workers dismissed from a private television channel would be cleared before Eid.
Members of the Parliamentary Reporters Association (PRA) had staged a walkout from the press gallery. Following this, the Deputy Speaker directed Minister Talal Chaudhry to obtain details from media representatives.
PPP MNA Shazia Marri criticised the media walkout, noting that the Federal Minister for Information Attaullah Tarar had previously made an important announcement on the issue.
She said that after government advertisements for the media organisation were restored, employees were again terminated, emphasising that supporting affected workers is a collective responsibility.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026