ISLAMABAD — The federal government has formally approved the 2025–26 wheat policy, announcing that wheat can now move freely across provincial borders to maintain steady supply and availability throughout Pakistan.
The decision was finalized in a high-level session chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, which included the chief ministers of Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, and Gilgit-Baltistan. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister’s representative, as well as officials from Azad Jammu and Kashmir and national agricultural bodies, also took part in the meeting.
The policy approval follows recent tensions after the Punjab government imposed strict controls on the transportation of wheat and flour to other provinces — a move widely criticized by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa authorities for disrupting inter-provincial trade.
During the meeting, PM Shehbaz highlighted wheat’s critical importance to Pakistan’s agricultural economy, calling it “both a basic food for the nation and the main source of livelihood for millions of farmers.”
He stressed that the new policy reflects a consensus among all provinces and is aimed at protecting farmers’ interests while ensuring fair prices for consumers.
Under the 2025–26 framework, federal and provincial authorities will collectively maintain strategic reserves of around 6.2 million tonnes of wheat. Procurement will be set at Rs3,500 per maund (40 kg), aligning with global market trends to ensure competitiveness and adequate profit margins for growers.
The PM’s Office added that a National Food Security Coordination Committee — comprising representatives from all provinces — will supervise the implementation of the policy, meet weekly, and report directly to the prime minister.
The premier expressed confidence that the policy would not only stabilize domestic markets but also enhance food security and increase farmers’ incomes across Pakistan.
