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ISLAMABAD:
Following the Prime Minister’s instructions, the Ministry of National Food Security and Research has taken steps to resolve the issue of inter-provincial movement of wheat seeds, which has faced delays even though companies complied with the prescribed procedures.
Secretary Food Security Amir Muhyuddin chaired a high-level meeting in Islamabad to address the issue. The session was attended by the secretaries of the provincial departments of agriculture and food, directors general of agriculture and senior officials of the ministry.
Participants discussed reports that transportation of wheat seeds between provinces was being hampered even when seed companies had complied with all agreed standard operating procedures (SOPs).
However, provincial representatives said convoys carrying the required travel documents were being allowed to pass. 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 headed by the food safety secretary was formed. The committee will meet every Wednesday to review progress and address any emerging challenges related to seed transportation.
It was also decided that the Federal Seed Registration and Certification Department (FSC&RD) will post its officials at key check posts along inter-provincial routes, particularly those connecting Punjab with other provinces. These officials will assist provincial food departments in verifying documentation and expediting the movement of certified seed shipments.
The meeting reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring an uninterrupted supply of seeds ahead of the next wheat growing season, recognizing that timely delivery of certified seeds is essential to achieving production targets and strengthening national food security.
A few days ago, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government had asked the Punjab government to remove “restrictive measures” on inter-provincial movement of wheat and wheat products, citing a “sharp escalation” in prices of this essential commodity in the province.
After the floods, the Punjab government began tightening controls on the interprovincial movement of wheat and flour through a permit regime to curb price increases within the province, a move that has been particularly denounced by KP amid rising prices and wheat shortages.
In a letter addressed to the secretary of the Punjab commodity management and price control department, the KP food department said: “Urgent and decisive action is strongly requested to ensure immediate withdrawal of all restrictions on inter-provincial movement of wheat.”
