.
ISLAMABAD:
The Ministry of National Food Safety and Research has acted on the instructions of the Prime Minister to resolve the issue of inter-provincial movement of wheat seeds, which has been facing delays despite the companies complying with the prescribed procedures.
Food Security Secretary Amir Muhyuddin chaired a high-level meeting in Islamabad to resolve the issue. The session was attended by secretaries of provincial agriculture and food departments, directors general of agriculture and senior officials from the ministry.
Participants discussed reports that the transport of wheat seed between provinces was hindered even when seed companies had met all agreed standard operating procedures (SOPs).
However, provincial representatives said convoys with the necessary movement documents were allowed to continue. They added that their departments had already issued directives to relevant food authorities to ensure smooth movement on a priority basis.
To maintain oversight and ensure coordination, a high-level oversight committee was established under the leadership of the Food Safety Secretary. The committee will meet every Wednesday to review progress and address any emerging challenges related to seed transport.
It was also decided that the Federal Seed Certification and Registration Department (FSC&RD) will depute its officers at important check posts along inter-provincial routes, especially those connecting Punjab with other provinces. These officers will assist provincial food departments in verifying documentation and expediting the movement of certified seed consignments.
The meeting reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensure uninterrupted seed supply ahead of the upcoming wheat growing season, recognizing that timely delivery of certified seed is critical to meeting production targets and strengthening national food security.
A few days ago, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government had requested that the Punjab government withdraw “restrictive measures” on the inter-provincial movement of wheat and wheat products, citing a “sharp escalation” in the prices of the essential commodity in the province.
In the wake of the floods, the Punjab government began tightening controls on the inter-provincial movement of wheat and flour through a permit regime to curb price increases in the province – a move that has been particularly condemned by the KP amid rising prices and wheat shortages.
In a letter to the Secretary, Price Control and Commodity Management Department, Punjab, the KP Food Department said, “It is earnestly requested to take prompt and decisive action to ensure immediate withdrawal of all restrictions on inter-provincial movement of wheat”.
