PM issues directive for seamless urea fertilizer supply to farmers

Islamabad: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar has directed to ensure uninterrupted supply of urea fertilizer to farmers at government-subsidized rates.

He gave these instructions, while chairing a meeting regarding uninterrupted supply of urea fertilizer to farmers on government control rate in Islamabad.

The Prime Minister said the district administration should take immediate action against hoarders of fertilizer and identify those responsible for hoarding. He said such elements should be given exemplary punishment.

The Prime Minister said government subsidies on urea should reach farmers, who deserve this in real sense. He instructed to evolve a strategy to ensure uninterrupted supply of urea on priority basis.

Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar said the Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of Food Security should assist provincial governments in curbing hoarding of urea by providing production and supply statistics.

He emphasized strict vigilance on the transportation of urea across provincial borders with no hindrance in the supply of the fertilizer required for provincial needs.

The Prime Minister said that the burden of urea subsidy should be borne by each province according to its consumption. He stressed the need for consultation with provinces and related industries to formulate a comprehensive framework for the uninterrupted supply of urea during the sowing season.

The meeting was briefed that the current production and stock of urea are sufficient for the ongoing wheat season. Meanwhile, an import of 220,000 metric tons of urea is underway to maintain a buffer stock and its first shipment is expected to arrive in Pakistan next week.

Chief Secretaries of all the four provinces informed the meeting about measures taken by the district administrations to ensure supply of fertilizer to farmers on government-subsidized rates.

The meeting was told that provinces will soon submit summaries for formal approval from their cabinets regarding the provision of subsidy.