ISLAMABAD: Following a high-level meeting chaired by the PM, ban on inter-provincial movement of wheat has been lifted with immediate effect and the check posts have been abolished.
Private sector has been allowed to import wheat sans any restriction on its quantity. Meeting has also decided to completely abolish import duty on wheat.
During the meeting it was decided that the smuggling of wheat and flour out of Pakistan would be stopped.
It was decided that mass crackdown against elements involved in hoarding of wheat and flour would be carried out.
The matters of wheat production, available stocks, requirements and purchases by provincial governments were also discussed in detail.
Earlier on 7th day of May, 2020 Minister Food, Govt. of Sindh’s Food Dept. had abolished the check posts at Matiari, Jamshoro, Hyderabad and Shaheed Benazirabad at highways forthwith where the drivers of wheat-laden trucks and trollers were being stopped for bribes.
The concerned authorities in the Province were instructed to ensure hassle-free transportation of wheat: “It is regretted to note that this Department’s direction is not being complied by the field officers of Food Department viz-a-viz District Food Controller Matiari, Jamshoro and Shaheed Benazirabad.
“The Chairman Pakistan Flour Mill Association Mr. Khalid Masood has again drawn the attention of this Department that the Check Post established by Sindh Food Department at district Matiari, Jamshoro and Hyderabad are not permitting the Karachi bound tucks to cross their district and demanding heavy bribe.
“The malpractice of above mentioned District Food Controllers has caused sharp surge in the open market prices of wheat. The matter was placed before the Honorable Minister Food who has been pleased to direct to abolish the Check Posts established by the District Food Controller Matiari, Jamshoro, Hyderabad and Shaheed Benazirabad at highways forthwith.
“It is again directed that the South bound vehicles carrying wheat of Flour Mills of Karachi from growing zones shall not be intercepted/stopped as this practice is not only violating this Department’s directions but causing price hike of wheat in open market which may lead to enhancement in Atta prices.”
On a broader spectrum, earlier savants at the helm of affairs held the authorities culpable for the wheat shortage as they were forewarned about impeding problem. The miscalculation apropos gauging the volume of expected wheat crop and indecisiveness resulted into the flour crisis. It is pertinent to mention here that unreliable modus operandi to figure out future size of crop utilized here has resulted into severe crisis in 2007-8 and 2014 too.
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