Islamabad, October 24, 2026: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar has directed federal and provincial governments to take all necessary measures, including increasing wheat supplies, to stabilise rising prices and ensure the availability of essential commodities at reasonable rates.
Dar chaired a high-level meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Saturday to review the stock position, pricing and supply of essential commodities across the country.
According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the meeting conducted a comprehensive review of national reserves, procurement arrangements, domestic consumption and prevailing price trends.
The committee was informed that domestic stocks of essential commodities remained adequate to ensure stability in local supplies.
Regarding wheat, the meeting was told that available domestic stocks, together with imported wheat, were sufficient to meet requirements until the next harvest.
However, expressing concern over the rising trend in wheat prices, Dar directed federal and provincial authorities to take necessary measures to stabilise the market, including increasing wheat supplies.
On sugar, the committee was informed that domestic market prices remained well below the targeted retail price of Rs155 per kilogram, with surplus stocks available until the next crushing season.
Emphasising the importance of national food security, the deputy prime minister said ensuring the availability of essential commodities at reasonable prices remained a government priority.
He directed federal and provincial authorities to maintain close vigilance over market networks and adopt a zero-tolerance policy towards hoarding and market speculation.
The meeting was attended by the Minister for National Food Security and Research and Climate Change, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Bajwa, secretaries of the National Food Security and Research and Commerce divisions, chief secretaries of all provinces, and senior officials from relevant federal and provincial departments.
