Islamabad, Pakistan: The government on Thursday said that wheat stocks remain sufficient, excluding strategic reserves, and initial assessments indicate that flood-related damage to rice and sugarcane crops is manageable, reports The Nation.
The update came during the second meeting of the Steering Committee for Assessment of Inflationary Trends, chaired by Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb. The committee, set up by the Prime Minister to regularly monitor and address inflationary pressures, reviewed domestic and international factors influencing prices.
Aurangzeb stressed that controlling inflation and ensuring price stability are among the government’s top priorities, particularly to protect vulnerable and low-income households affected by recent floods. He said the committee’s role is to track market developments, coordinate responses across federal and provincial levels, and recommend timely measures to contain inflation and safeguard purchasing power.
The committee conducted a detailed review of essential food items, examining the latest Sensitive Price Index (SPI) data. Trends in onions, tomatoes, rice, wheat, sugar, and edible oil were discussed, along with regional supply changes, stock positions, and import needs. The finance minister called for strict monitoring to prevent speculative activity and artificial price hikes.
Preparations for the upcoming sowing season were also reviewed, with emphasis on ensuring the timely availability of seeds and other inputs. Aurangzeb directed institutions including the NDMA, SUPARCO, and Pakistan Bureau of Statistics to work with provincial governments to complete accurate crop damage assessments.
The meeting was attended by senior officials from the Finance Division, Power Division, Petroleum Division, Planning Ministry, National Food Security Ministry, State Bank of Pakistan, Bureau of Statistics, and SDPI. The committee will reconvene next week to review progress on agreed actions and consider further steps for maintaining price stability.
