Govt to skip wheat procurement in 2024 amid IMF deal

Islamabad: The federal government has decided not to purchase wheat this year, citing commitments under the International Monetary Fund (IMF) agreement.

This was confirmed by Federal Minister for National Food Security, Rana Tanveer Hussain, in a written report submitted to the National Assembly.

He stated that the expected wheat production in 2025 would be sufficient to meet the country’s needs for the 2025–26 period. The minister added that any decision regarding the import or export of wheat will be based on market demand.

To guide future planning, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has formed a cabinet committee to draft a new wheat policy. Additionally, a Cabinet Committee on Essential Commodities has also been established, which has already held two meetings under the chairmanship of Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar.