PM orders daily review of food stocks, eyes higher exports to Gulf

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday ordered daily monitoring of Pakistan’s food supply situation and directed officials to prepare a strategy for increasing exports of surplus food items to Gulf countries, as shifting regional trade patterns create fresh openings for Pakistani products.

At a high level meeting chaired by the prime minister, officials told participants that the country currently has sufficient stocks of essential food items and is facing no shortage, according to a statement issued after the session.

The prime minister instructed authorities to keep close watch on supply and demand to ensure local requirements remain fully protected, while also moving to capitalize on export opportunities emerging in regional markets.

He said disruptions in global supply chains had created space for Pakistan to expand food exports, particularly to Gulf countries, and directed relevant departments to draw up a comprehensive plan for sending surplus items to friendly states in the region without undermining domestic food security.

Shehbaz also ordered the formation of a committee to review the situation on a daily basis, signaling the government’s intent to maintain continuous oversight as it weighs export expansion alongside internal availability.

Officials briefing the meeting said Pakistan has strong export potential in several segments of the food and agriculture sector, including agricultural commodities, meat, poultry, dairy products and seafood. Participants were also given an update on the country’s production levels and existing reserves of food items.

The prime minister stressed that quality standards for exported food products must be strictly maintained and directed the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation to take necessary steps to facilitate transport of food consignments to Gulf markets through sea routes.

He further instructed Pakistan’s ambassadors and trade officers in Gulf countries to play a more active role in promoting the country’s exports and identifying openings in those markets.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, federal ministers Jam Kamal Khan and Rana Tanveer Hussain, Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Haroon Akhtar Khan, senior government officials, provincial chief secretaries and representatives of relevant private sector associations.