ISLAMABAD: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Tuesday expressed serious concern over the government’s wheat and sugar policies, observing that farmers had suffered heavy losses due to low wheat procurement while the country continued to import the commodity.


The PAC meeting, chaired by Mueen Aamer Pirzada, reviewed audit objections concerning the Ministry of National Food Security and Research for the financial year 2024-25.


Audit officials told the committee that the wheat policy had caused substantial losses to farmers. They said wheat procurement remained low, while wheat was also imported despite inadequate local purchases. The officials called for a detailed investigation into the matter.


Secretary National Food Security told the committee that wheat procurement was the responsibility of the provinces and the federal government could not interfere in the process. However, Senator Saleem Mandviwalla pointed out that the federal government controlled wheat imports.


“If farmers stop cultivating wheat, the country will have to import it by paying dollars,” Mandviwalla said. He questioned why the government was importing wheat to rescue provinces that had failed to procure sufficient stocks.


The PAC chairman said preparations were underway to import one million tonnes of wheat, while the government had also allowed sugar exports.


Former foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar criticised the government for failing to provide a support price to Pakistani farmers while farmers in Europe were receiving substantial financial support. She said dollars were readily made available for wheat imports, but there was no money to support local farmers.


MNA Rana Qasim Noon said the wheat support scheme had ultimately harmed farmers. He also alleged that sugar mills had contributed to the decline of cotton cultivation, saying that sugar mill owners remained influential regardless of which political government was in power.


Mandviwalla observed that a wheat and sugar “scheme” emerged every year, raising questions over the consistency of government policies.


The PAC chairman directed the Ministry of National Food Security to brief the committee on the government’s wheat and sugar policies. The ministry has been asked to provide the briefing on September 24.


The chairman also called for stopping sugar exports and directed that a comprehensive briefing on the two commodities be provided to the committee.


The committee also decided to invite SUPARCO officials to its next meeting for a briefing.