Punjab Wheat Distribution Faces Scrutiny Amid Rising Prices
Table of Contents
Ensuring adequate wheat supplies and stable prices remains a critical challenge for Pakistan, as conflicting reports emerge regarding inter-provincial distribution and alleged market manipulation.The Punjab government asserts it has moved a significant quantity of wheat to other provinces, but these claims are being challenged by political groups and raise questions about the true state of food security.
The Punjab government claims to have supplied 850,000 metric tonnes of wheat to other provinces, with a significant portion going to Khyber pakhtunkhwa. A senior official stated that the total estimated movement of wheat from Punjab is between 1.4 and 1.5 million metric tonnes,with over 700,000 metric tonnes delivered to Islamabad alone.
Transparent System or a Facade?
The government maintains that wheat transportation is managed through a “transparent permit system.” According to the official,this system isn’t intended to hinder trade but rather to facilitate data collection,discourage hoarding and profiteering,and inform policy decisions. “The system is not intended to disrupt trade or markets,” the official emphasized. They further clarified that there are no restrictions on wheat movement within Punjab itself,allowing for free inter-district transportation.
However, these assurances are being met with skepticism.A representative from the PTI Punjab Kissan Wing vehemently rejected the government’s claims, alleging that any wheat reaching Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is arriving through illicit channels.
Price Discrepancies Fuel Concerns
The Kissan Wing argues that the current wheat price of Rs5,000 per 40kg demonstrates a lack of effective supply. according to the Kissan Wing’s general secretary, MPA Ejaz Shafi, if Punjab had genuinely supplied wheat to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh, prices would have risen to Rs10,000 per 40kg. This discrepancy fuels accusations of mismanagement and deliberate price manipulation.
Shafi further alleges that hoarders, purportedly linked to the current government, exploited farmers during the harvest season, purchasing wheat for between Rs1,800 and Rs2,000 per 40kg only to sell it at more than double the price within months. “The government pushed poor farmers against the wall during harvesting season and now the poor are compelled to purchase flour and roti at higher rates,” Shafi lamented.
.
The government insists it is actively working to curb hoarding and protect both farmers and consumers. However, the conflicting narratives and rising prices suggest a more complex situation requiring greater clarity and accountability to ensure national food security and price stability.
Published in Dawn, January 20th, 2026.
Why: The core issue is a discrepancy between the Punjab government’s claims of wheat distribution to other provinces and the actual market prices, which suggest a lack of sufficient supply. Accusations of mismanagement and hoarding further complicate the situation.
Who: Key players include the Punjab government, the PTI Punjab Kissan Wing (represented by MPA Ejaz Shafi), farmers, consumers, and alleged hoarders linked to the current government.
What: The central event is a dispute over the distribution of wheat from Punjab to other provinces, specifically Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh. This dispute is manifested in conflicting claims about supply volumes and a significant price difference that suggests market manipulation.
How did it end?: The article does not provide a definitive resolution.It concludes with the government asserting its efforts to address the issue, but acknowledges the complexity of the situation and the need for greater transparency and accountability. The situation remains unresolved, with conflicting narratives continuing to fuel concerns about food security and price stability.
