CM Murad Ali Shah Orders Intensified Anti-Hoarding Drive, Directs Food Department to Secure Wheat Supplies Until March 2027
Karachi: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has directed the Food Department to intensify operations against wheat hoarders and profiteers, prepare a comprehensive wheat management plan, and ensure uninterrupted wheat and flour supplies across the province amid a projected wheat shortfall of 2.11 million metric tonnes (MMT) by March 2027.
Chairing a high-level meeting at the CM House, the Chief Minister reviewed wheat production, stock availability, market trends, consumption patterns, and future supply requirements. He emphasized that wheat is a strategic commodity directly linked to food security and public welfare, warning that no negligence in maintaining adequate stocks or stabilizing market prices would be tolerated.
The meeting was informed that Sindh produced 4.7 MMT of wheat during the 2025–26 season and carried forward 0.14 MMT from the previous year, bringing the province’s total wheat availability for 2026–27 to 4.84 MMT.
By July 15, 2026, approximately 2.60 MMT had already been utilized, including 1.90 MMT for human consumption, 0.50 MMT moved outside the province, and 0.20 MMT retained as seed for the next sowing season, leaving an estimated balance of 2.24 MMT.
However, the Food Department reported that only 1.23 MMT is currently visible in the supply chain. This includes 81,812 metric tonnes procured by the Food Department, 172,020 metric tonnes recovered during anti-hoarding operations, 0.48 MMT reported by flour mills, and 0.50 MMT retained by growers for personal consumption.
The Chief Minister noted that nearly 0.61 MMT of wheat remains unaccounted for and may be concealed by hoarders. He instructed the Food Department to intensify enforcement operations and recover hidden stocks to stabilize market supplies.
Officials informed the meeting that the Food Department currently holds 393,832 metric tonnes of wheat, comprising 140,000 metric tonnes of carry-forward stock, 81,812 metric tonnes procured during the current season, and 172,020 metric tonnes recovered through administrative and anti-hoarding operations. These enforcement efforts have contributed to a reduction in flour prices across Sindh.
The meeting further noted that Sindh will require approximately 4.35 MMT of wheat between July 15, 2026, and March 15, 2027. Against the available stock of 2.24 MMT, the province is expected to face a deficit of 2.11 MMT.
To address the shortfall, PASSCO has offered 220,000 metric tonnes of wheat at Rs4,150 per 40 kilograms, available from storage facilities in Khairpur, Naushahro Feroze, Shaheed Benazirabad, and Sanghar. Even after utilizing this allocation, Sindh would still require approximately 1.89 MMT of additional wheat.
The Food Department proposed securing further allocations from PASSCO, facilitating wheat movement from Punjab, and importing wheat if necessary to ensure adequate supplies.
The Chief Minister also reviewed prevailing wheat and flour prices across the province. Wheat prices per 40 kilogramswere reported at Rs11,000 in Karachi, Rs10,800 in Hyderabad, Rs10,750 in Sukkur, and Rs10,250 in Larkana. Retail flour prices per kilogram stood at Rs130 in Karachi, Rs125 in Hyderabad, and Rs118 in Sukkur and Larkana.
CM Murad Ali Shah directed the Chief Secretary to strengthen anti-hoarding and anti-profiteering operations, ensure continuous monitoring of wheat stocks held by traders, flour mills, and large stockists, prevent artificial shortages, and submit fortnightly reports on stock availability, procurement, enforcement actions, and market trends.
Addressing the people of Sindh, the Chief Minister assured that there is no immediate wheat shortage in the province. He reiterated that the government is closely monitoring the situation and will take every necessary measure to maintain food security and ensure uninterrupted availability of wheat and flour at reasonable prices.
