Provincial plans for a fertilizer subsidy in Pakistan are taking clearer shape ahead of Rabi planting, after Federal Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain briefed the National Assembly Standing Committee on National Food Security and Research. He said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will deliver Rs5,000 of help for each fertiliser bag through an in-kind scheme, while Punjab is studying support of Rs3,000 a bag as growers face costly and scarce inputs.
The minister told the panel the federal side is also trying to ease shortages and high retail rates. Members reviewed stocks of diammonium phosphate (DAP) — a key nutrient mix used at sowing — and welcomed a fresh arrival of 50,000 tons meant for the 2026-27 Rabi campaign.
Import levies and a shared national rate
To cut what farmers pay at the depot, the committee urged a fresh examination of regulatory duty and general sales tax (GST) charged on incoming fertiliser. Chair Syed Hussain Tariq asked the Ministry of National Food Security and Research (MNFS&R) to keep growers supported and argued for a single subsidy design in every province plus identical fertiliser prices across the country, so a fertilizer subsidy in Pakistan does not leave some growers better off than others.
Wheat, rice and other business before the panel
Lawmakers also noted strong wheat acreage for the same Rabi cycle and the stated support price of Rs4,500 for each 40-kilogram lot. Ministry staff told members rice harvest volume was up eight percent. Separately, the committee looked at a proposed waiver of regulatory duty on imported grandparent and parent chick stock listed under PCT codes 0105.1100 and 0105.9400, after duplicate wording in S.R.O. 1064(I)/2026 created confusion. The Tariff Policy Board had agreed unanimously to send that file to the Federal Cabinet’s October 2026 sitting; Finance and the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) will be asked to the next hearing. Members approved the Seed (Amendment) Bill, 2026 with revisions and recommended National Assembly passage. Several MNAs, among them Nadeem Abbass, Abdul Qadir Khan, Shumaila Rana, Nazir Ahmed Bhugio, Syed Abrar Ali Shah, Syed Ayaz Sherazi, Syed Javed Ali Shah Jillani and Usman Ali, sat with the minister and senior ministry officers.
Timeline: what has happened so far
- October 2026: Tariff Policy Board urges Cabinet to settle the chick-stock duty exemption dispute tied to S.R.O. 1064(I)/2026.
- 2026-27 Rabi window: Authorities report record wheat sowing, a Rs4,500 per 40 kg wheat support price, and a 50,000-ton DAP arrival for the season.
- Tuesday (committee sitting): Rana Tanveer Hussain outlines KP’s Rs5,000 in-kind bag support and Punjab’s Rs3,000 proposal; the panel seeks duty and GST relief and uniform pricing.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Sarkar provinces ko fertilizer par maddad dene ka soch rahi hai taake Rabi se pehle khaad sasti rahe. KP har bori par Rs5,000 ki madad in-kind degi; Punjab Rs3,000 ka option dekh rahi hai. Committee chahti hai ke import duty aur GST kam hon aur tamam provinces mein rate ek jaisa ho. Is se kisan ko khaad milne aur kharche control karne mein madad mil sakti hai.
