October 15, 2020: Minister for Food Security Syed Fakhar Imam says the country has a stock of five million metric tons of wheat and one point seven million metric tons will arrive by January next year.
Addressing a news conference in Islamabad on Wednesday, he said the private sector is likely to import 700,000 metric tons of wheat, whereas our total consumption is around six million tons.
Speaking on this occasion, Minister for Industries Hammad Azhar said Trading Corporation of Pakistan has imported 150,000 tons of sugar, which will be released on controlled rate, while similar quantity is being procured by the private sector.
He said it has been proposed to impose a fine of five million rupees on sugar mill, which fails to start crushing season well in time.
Hammad Azhar said provinces are requested to initiate legislation for this purpose making it obligatory to start the crushing of sugarcane from 10th of the next month.
The Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi speaking on this occasions said federal government will take all administrative measures to control rates of essential commodities, including sugar and wheat.
Radio Pakistan
37452
