A major food security crisis looms over the country following the shocking revelation that 4.5 million tons of wheat have gone missing from Punjab’s official stocks.
The revelation surfaced during a high-level meeting where federal and provincial authorities gathered to discuss the upcoming procurement policy.
During the session, an official from Punjab questioned representatives from other provinces whether the missing stock had moved across borders.
However, representatives from Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa denied any knowledge of the stock, suggesting that large-scale hoarding by the private sector might be the culprit.
Sources indicate that despite the government fixing the rate at Rs3,500 per maund, the private sector avoided procurement due to high costs, demanding interest-free bank loans for the task instead.
گندم کےبحران کاخدشہ موجودہ دورمیں3rdٹائم گندم کےبحران کاخطرہ چندروزقبل اعلیٰ میٹنگ میں پنجاب کی45لاکھ ٹن گندم کےغائب ہونےکابھی انکشاف۔Pnjافسرنےپوچھاکیایہ گندم آپکےصوبوں می آئی توانہوں نےکہاہمارےپاس ہوتی تواتنی مہنگی ملتی نجی سیکٹرنےخریداری نہ کی زخیرہ اندوزی ہوئی ابھیseasonکاآغاز pic.twitter.com/XYxgMmndPv
— Naeem Ashraf Butt (@NaeemAshrafBut2) July 6, 2026
This vacuum allowed hoarders to step in, purchasing wheat from farmers at a lower rate of Rs2,800 per maund and storing it away for future profit.
The situation has already begun impacting market prices. At the start of the season, wheat prices in Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have already surged to Rs4,500 per maund.
If the missing 4.5 million tons are not recovered or accounted for soon, experts warn that Pakistan could face its third major wheat crisis in recent years, leading to significant flour price hikes and supply shortages.
Via AryNews
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