The federal government's decision to import one million tonnes of wheat has revived a long-standing question: why does an agricultural country, with Punjab once known as the nation's food basket, continue to rely on imported grain despite repeated official claims of bumper harvests? The move has sparked criticism from farmers and agricultural experts, who said the issue is not merely about wheat availability but years of inconsistent policymaking, weak procurement mechanisms and the absence of a long-term food security strategy. Pakistan is among the world's largest wheat producers, with annual output estimated at around 31 million tonnes.
Wheat is cultivated on nearly 40% of the country's cropped area and remains the staple food for more than 240 million people. Punjab contributes nearly three-fourths of the national crop, making it the backbone of Pakistan's food production. Yet despite production levels that broadly match annual consumption, the country has repeatedly returned to international markets to bridge supply gaps or rebuild strategic reserves.
Experts say the mismatch often arises from inaccurate crop estimates, post-harvest losses, inadequate storage facilities, population growth and poor market planning rather than an outright production collapse. "Government's decision to import one million tonnes of wheat is a poorly planned, ill-intentioned and anti-farmer policy," said office bearers of Markazi Kisan League. They added that Pakistan's economy cannot become stronger without a strong agriculture sector.
Protecting local farmers, reducing dependence on imports and ensuring food security should remain the government's top priorities. The federal government's decision is intended to strengthen national reserves and ensure food security. However, the timing has angered growers, many of whom are still struggling to sell their freshly harvested crop at prices they say are below production costs.
The controversy has highlighted the impact of Pakistan's economic reforms under the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme. While the IMF has not directly ordered Pakistan to stop purchasing wheat from farmers, successive governments have committed to reducing costly market interventions, including the traditional wheat procurement and support price system. The reforms encourage greater private-sector participation in grain markets to reduce fiscal l…
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