A geared vessel carrying a declared 51,000 metric tons of imported wheat docked at Karachi Port on Wednesday, the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) said, as the government seeks steadier flour supplies and lower atta prices.
KPT said MV Gokova M was allocated Berths 16 and 17 and arrived at 12:25 pm on 28 October 2026. The bulk cargo is being handled at Karachi Gateway Terminal Multipurpose Limited (KGTML), the multipurpose terminal that unloads and moves large dry shipments at the port. KPT framed the operation as part of keeping essential commodity imports moving smoothly through Karachi.
Second wheat ship due early November
Another geared vessel, MV Great Rainbow, is expected on 3 November 2026 with 59,132.19 metric tons of wheat on its declared manifest. A KPT spokesperson said the two ships together represent a declared wheat volume of over 110,000 metric tons, underlining the port’s capacity to handle bulk food imports through KGTML.
Ministers say reserves and imports will steady supply
The arrival comes days after Food Security Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain said the government would maintain wheat reserves of up to 6 million tons. He said there would be no wheat shortage this year and that up to 550,000 metric tons could be imported according to provincial demand. Hussain described the recent rise in wheat prices as artificial and said prices should return to normal within days.
Last week, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif raised the wheat support price by Rs1,000 to Rs4,500 per maund for 2027. Separately on Wednesday, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar chaired a meeting of the Steering Committee on Wheat. The committee reviewed grain availability nationwide and import plans meant to keep supplies steady. Dar directed authorities to monitor the market closely, keep wheat supply adequate, and work toward downward movement in atta prices.
Timeline: what has happened so far
- Last week: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif raised the wheat support price by Rs1,000 to Rs4,500 per maund for 2027.
- Recent days: Food Security Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain said reserves would be kept at up to 6 million tons, up to 550,000 metric tons could be imported on provincial demand, and he called recent wheat price rises artificial.
- 28 October 2026, 12:25 pm: MV Gokova M arrives at Karachi Port with 51,000 metric tons of wheat; unloading proceeds at KGTML on Berths 16 and 17.
- 28 October 2026: Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar chairs the Steering Committee on Wheat and directs closer market monitoring and efforts to ease atta prices.
- 3 November 2026 (expected): MV Great Rainbow is due with 59,132.19 metric tons of wheat, taking the two ships’ declared total past 110,000 metric tons.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Karachi Port par imported wheat ka bada jahaz aa gaya hai, lagbhag 51,000 ton. Doosra jahaz 3 November ko aane wala hai, dono mil kar 110,000 ton se zyada wheat laenge. Hukumat kehti hai reserve aur import se shortage nahi hogi aur atta ke daam neeche aane chahiye. Ghar ke kharche ke liye yeh is liye zaroori hai ke wheat aur atta rozmarra ki cheezen hain.
