FM orders urgent review of food stocks as floods drive inflation concerns

September 6, 2025 (MLN): Authorities have been directed to urgently review available stocks of essential food items, including wheat, rice, and sugar, in close coordination with provincial governments.

The directive came as Pakistan grapples with inflationary pressures exacerbated by recent flooding.

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb issued the order during the inaugural meeting of Pakistan's newly-formed Steering Committee on Inflationary Trends in Islamabad.

The finance minister assured committee members of his ministry's full support to extend maximum possible relief for alleviating vulnerabilities among poor households and flood-affected communities across all provinces.

The committee, established by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif last week, examined domestic and international factors driving inflation with particular focus on food price volatility affecting the country's most vulnerable populations.

Recent floods have compounded concerns about supply chain disruptions and commodity availability, prompting government intervention to stabilize markets.

"Discussion remained particularly focused on the prices of essential commodities, which directly affect the most vulnerable segments of society, especially in flood-affected areas," according to a statement from the Finance Ministry.

The steering committee has committed to regular monitoring of essential commodity prices and major crop situations as flood impacts continue to evolve.

Officials will coordinate with provincial governments and federal institutions to develop administrative measures aimed at controlling inflationary trends.

Aurangzeb has tasked the Ministry of National Food Security and Research alongside the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics to conduct the urgent stock assessment.

The committee is expected to reconvene shortly to formulate concrete proposals ensuring smooth supply chains, adequate stock availability, and effective inflation control mechanisms.

The meeting brought together federal secretaries and senior officials from multiple government divisions including Finance, Power, Petroleum, Planning Development & Special Initiatives, and National Food Security & Research.

Representatives from the State Bank of Pakistan, Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, and the Sustainable Development Policy Institute also participated in the discussions.

Pakistan's inflation concerns come amid global commodity price pressures and domestic challenges including energy costs and supply chain disruptions, with recent flooding adding another layer of complexity to the country's economic management efforts.

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