NA panel concerned over wheat stock situation
Standing committee seeks report how Pakistan became importer from exporter
ISLAMABAD:
The National Assembly Standing Committee on Commerce raised concerns on Thursday over wheat imports and sought a report from the food security ministry, as to how the country, which used to export the commodity in the past, became an importer.
The standing committee met here with its chairman Syed Naveed Qamar in the chair. The meeting was attended by its members as well as Food Security Secretary Ghufran Memon and Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) Chairman Riaz Memon.
Briefing the committee on wheat import, the food security secretary said that the support price of wheat was fixed at Rs1600 per 40 kilogrammes five months ago but later, the minimum price was increased to Rs1,800 per 40 kg.
Foreign ministry left out of loop on cotton import from India
Some ECC members suggested seeking the opinion of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
ISLAMABAD:
The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC)’s decision to allow import of cotton and sugar from India sparked a lot of discussion as it was considered a move to normalise relations with the neighbouring country through backdoor diplomacy.
However, officials in the Ministry of National Food Security and Research revealed that the decision had in fact been taken by bypassing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Planning Minister Asad Umar and Adviser to Prime Minister on Institutional Reforms and Austerity Dr Ishrat Husain backed the move as far as economic benefits were concerned.
The deadline for submission of price offers is April 14.
The government of Pakistan last year approved sugar imports to meet a shortage and cool prices after production fell below consumption levels. A series of import tenders have been issued by the TCP in recent months.The TCP’s new tender seeks white sugar from worldwide origins packed in bags.
Rapid shipment is sought, starting within 25 days plus voyage time for initial volumes followed by phased deliveries.
Published in Dawn, April 8th, 2021
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Opinion: Averting another wheat crisis
Flour mills have already started flexing their muscle SAMAA | Dr Nauman Anees - Posted: Apr 9, 2021 | Last Updated: 3 days ago SAMAA | Dr Nauman Anees Posted: Apr 9, 2021 | Last Updated: 3 days ago
Photo: Online
Another wheat crisis is looming in Pakistan, much similar to the one that hit the country last year. Fearing a shortage of wheat, the Trading Corporation of Pakistan has already opened tenders for its import between April and August. Surprisingly, Punjab, the major wheat-producing province, has decided to procure wheat 22% less than its target for the previous year, citing adequate availability. This appears to be counterintuitive. Lower public procurement of wheat will leave a much larger share of it to be procured by private stockists and flour mills.
High production cost pushes sugar price up thenews.com.pk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from thenews.com.pk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.