Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has asked PASSCO and provincial food departments to directly purchase wheat from farmers to ensure benefit to them.

Presiding over a meeting to review countrywide wheat procurement drive in Lahore, he said the procurement targets should be enhanced to ensure uninterrupted supply of wheat throughout the year.

The Prime Minister attributed produce of 27.5 million metric tons record bumper wheat crop in the country to government's efforts, timely decisions, provision of quality seed, uninterrupted supply of fertilizer and ‘Kissan Package’.

The meeting was informed about the production of wheat in the current year, its available stock and the procurement targets of the federal and provincial departments.

The Prime Minister congratulated the minister for food security and other relevant authorities and appreciated their steps.

He said that the government is formulating a strategy for achieving enhanced production next year.

Shehbaz Sharif said due to mismanagement of the previous government, Pakistan became a wheat importing country and the farmers were compelled to wait in long queues for the whole day to get fertilizers.

The Prime Minister also directed for strict action against hoarders.

He also directed for provision of required resources through banks to get specified quantity of wheat.

Source: Radio Pakistan