ISLAMABAD: The second vessel carrying 65,000 metric tonnes of wheat reached Karachi port on Friday evening, and was allowed to be unloaded after qualified mandatory quarantine on Saturday.
An inspection team of experts from the Department of Plant Protection, led by DPP Director-General Dr Falak Naz, conducted a detailed inspection of the imported wheat keeping in view the requirements of the import permit granted to the private sector.
With the arrival of the second vessel, the total import of wheat from Ukraine has now totalled 125,804 metric tonnes.Â
The third vessel, MV Coventry, carrying 69,000 metric tonnes of wheat, is scheduled to dock at Karachi port on September 8, according to the Ministry of National Food Security and Research.
Meanwhile, National Food Security and Research Secretary Omer Hamid Khan has contacted the chief secretaries of Sindh and Punjab to seek support in unhindered interprovincial movement of the imported wheat. Â
On behalf of the ministry, DPP Director-General Dr Falak Naz, along with wheat importers, held a meeting with Sindh Food Secretary Laeeq Ahmed to discuss the inter-provincial movement of wheat, who assured his full support.
The MNFS&R has been regularly supervising all components of the wheat import chain and was opting a proactive approach to minimise the chances of any kind of delay.Â
Subsequently, all concerned departments were on board to facilitate wheat import and address the ongoing national issue of wheat price hike.Â
Why Pakistan importing wheat? Agriculture country Pakistan what next?
Pakistan is importing wheat because the indigenous wheat production is being hoarded by the unscrupulous cartels/mafias to raise prices for gain regardless of what effect it has on the masses. Same for the sugar production. Wheat and sugar is imported to reduce the price of these commodities to the masses and bring down inflation. I hope it puts the scum mafia out of business for holding the poor to ransom for financial and political gain.
Wheat import due to crop losses due to locust attacks, rain and ongoing cartelized hoardibg of such commodities leading to price increases. It is good to see the government activelyand timely working against mitigating disaster effects and machinations of hoarders mafia.