ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): The federal government has directed the immediate removal of all obstacles, that are hindering the transport and distribution of wheat supply and flour into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Ministry of National Food Security said that the relevant authorities have been told to facilitate the smooth passage of wheat and flour consignments and to make sure that no disruptions occur within the supply chain.
The ministry also launched a dedicated WhatsApp helpline , so that citizens, transporters, and businesses can report complaints or any barriers that are affecting the delivery process.
Officials said that this effort is meant to tighten coordination between federal and provincial authorities and to respond to worries connected with delays or restrictions in the movement of essential food supplies.
The ministry further urged stakeholders to promptly flag any cases of blockage , hoarding , or interference that impact the transportation of wheat and flour , Concerns about a wheat and flour crisis, began to build in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which then pushed the provincial government to move urgently.
As per reports, the KP government has written a letter to the federal government , asking for an uninterrupted supply of wheat while also warning that any curbs on moving wheat and flour from Punjab could spark a serious crisis in the province.
In that letter addressed to federal authorities, the KP government said the province produces only 1.6 million metric tons of wheat locally, but its yearly requirement is about 5.3 million metric tons.
Because of the shortfall , the price of a 40-kilogram wheat bag has reportedly climbed beyond Rs4,700 in the province , The letter also claimed that restrictions put in place by Punjab authorities are affecting KP’s strategic wheat reserve somehow crossed Rs4,700 in the province .
In the same letter it was also claimed, that the restrictions brought by Punjab authorities are, in effect, touching KP’s strategic wheat reserves. About 554.800 metric tons of wheat, meant for Malakand Dargai, were allegedly halted, and in that process the transportation of 5,548 wheat bags got disturbed.
The provincial government then asked the federation, to take immediate notice of the issue, saying that limits on wheat movement breach Article 151 of the Constitution, the one that protects the freedom of trade among provinces.
The letter further asked the federal government to promptly allow the release of the wheat loaded vehicles that were stopped in Punjab.
Officials added that the KP government has already okayed the procurement of 225,000 metric tons of wheat, and requested the federation to make sure there is an uninterrupted flow of wheat from Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation (PASSCO) .
