Wheat flour prices in Pakistan are expected to ease in the coming days after a ship carrying 51,000 tonnes of imported wheat arrived at Karachi Port. Federal Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain said rates should return to normal soon, linking the recent rise to artificial market pressure rather than a physical shortage.
Imported wheat reaches Karachi Port
The vessel is anchored at berths 16 and 17. A second ship, loaded with 59,132 tonnes of wheat, is due on 3 November. Together, the two cargoes amount to more than 110,000 tonnes. Bulk handling of the grain is under way at the port through KGTML, the terminal handling the discharge.
Officials have also left room for further imports. Arrangements could cover up to 550,000 metric tonnes if provinces ask for more grain, the minister said, while stressing that local farmers would still be the preferred source of purchases.
What the minister said about prices and stocks
Rana Tanveer Hussain attributed the recent jump in wheat rates to artificial factors and the intervention of certain elements in the market. He said the public need not worry about supply, arguing that Pakistan has enough wheat and that a shortage is not on the cards.
The government has set the wheat price at Rs4,500 per maund—a traditional unit used for grain trade—after talks with all provinces. According to the minister, that figure is meant to protect farmers. He also said a comprehensive national wheat policy had been drawn up after 40 years, with the support price agreed by consensus among provincial governments.
Strategic reserves of up to six million metric tonnes are to be maintained this year. More than 1.3 million metric tonnes have already been moved to the provinces from PASSCO stocks—the federal agency that holds and distributes wheat. That pipeline, plus the cargoes now arriving at Karachi, is the basis for hopes of a calmer flour price trend in retail markets.
Timeline: what has happened so far
- Recent arrival: A ship with 51,000 tonnes of imported wheat docked at berths 16 and 17 of Karachi Port.
- Coming days: Rana Tanveer Hussain said wheat prices are expected to return to normal.
- 3 November: A second vessel carrying 59,132 tonnes of wheat is scheduled to arrive.
- This year: Strategic wheat reserves of up to six million metric tonnes are to be kept.
- After 40 years: A national wheat policy set the support price at Rs4,500 per maund with provincial consent.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Karachi Port par bahar se aayi gandum ki bari khep aa chuki hai. Wazir ke mutabiq agle kuch dinon mein gandum aur aate ki qeematain normal hone ki umeed hai. Doosri khep 3 November ko aani hai. Sarkar ne kisaanon ke liye gandum ki qeemat 4,500 rupay mun rakhi hai, aur stock ki kami ka khauf nahi.
