Gilgit-Baltistan is facing a worsening wheat shortage as reserve stocks have run out and the federal government has yet to deliver subsidised supplies allocated for the new fiscal year, Dawn reported, citing officials from the GB food department.Â
Gilgit-Baltistan residents rely almost entirely on federally subsidised wheat to meet their food needs. With no fresh supplies and no wheat left in storage, households are struggling to manage expenses, as buying from the open market is unaffordable for many.
Recent flash floods and heavy rains have further worsened the situation by damaging key roads and infrastructure. An official from the food department said that the last remaining reserves were distributed during the floods and are now fully depleted.
Although the federal government earmarked Rs20 billion to procure over 170,000 tonnes of wheat for GB in the current budget, officials said not a single sack has been received so far. The delay has raised concerns of a potential food crisis in the region.
Frequent landslides on major routes including the Karakoram Highway and Baltistan road have severely disrupted transport. The official noted that transporting wheat from Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation (Passco) warehouses in Islamabad to GB now takes several weeks.
Even the distribution of remaining wheat from regional warehouses in Gilgit to remote areas is delayed due to blocked roads. Officials warned that continued disruption in supply could push the region toward a full-scale food emergency.
