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ISLAMABAD:
Acting under the leadership of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of National Food Security and Research has taken steps to resolve the problem of interprovincial movement of wheat seeds, which has experienced delays despite companies following prescribed procedures.
Food Security Secretary Amir Muhyuddin chaired a high-level meeting in Islamabad to resolve the issue. The session was attended by secretaries of the provincial departments of agriculture and food, directors general of agriculture and senior officials of the ministry.
Participants discussed reports that transportation of wheat seeds between provinces was hampered even when seed companies had followed all agreed standard operating procedures (SOPs).
Provincial officials, however, said convoys carrying the required movement documents were allowed to continue. They added that their departments had already issued directives to relevant food authorities to ensure smooth movement on priority.
To maintain monitoring and ensure coordination, a high-level supervisory committee headed by the Food Safety Secretary has been constituted. The committee will meet every Wednesday to review progress and address any emerging challenges related to seed transportation.
It was also decided that the Federal Seed Certification and Registration Department (FSC&RD) would send its officers to major check posts along inter-provincial roads, especially those connecting Punjab with other provinces. These agents will help provincial food services verify documentation and expedite the movement of certified seed shipments.
The meeting reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring uninterrupted supply of seeds ahead of the next wheat growing season, recognizing that timely delivery of certified seeds is critical to achieving production targets and strengthening national food security.
A few days ago, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government had asked the Punjab government to withdraw “restrictive measures” on inter-provincial movement of wheat and wheat products, citing a “sharp rise” in prices of this essential commodity in the province.
Following the floods, the Punjab government began tightening controls on inter-provincial movements of wheat and flour through a licensing regime aimed at curbing price rises in the province – a move that was particularly denounced by the KP amid soaring prices and wheat shortages.
In a letter addressed to the secretary of the Punjab Price Control and Produce Management Department, the KP food department said, “It is sincerely requested to take urgent and decisive steps to ensure immediate withdrawal of all restrictions on inter-provincial movement of wheat.”
