AJK, G-B refuse to lift imported wheat

Pakistan's agriculture procurement agency imported poor quality wheat, raising serious concerns in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B). The governments of the regions have decided not to accept that imported wheat stock and have sought 100% locally procured wheat. The Ministry of National Food Security and Research briefed the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) on the issue during a recent meeting, informing the forum that AJK and G-B had expressed reservations over the quality of imported wheat being supplied to them. The Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation (Passco) is currently holding around 1.088 million metric tons (MMT) of local and imported wheat as of August 5, 2026, with 87% local and 13% imported wheat in its overall stock. Of this stock, 300,000 metric tons have been allocated to AJK for the 2026-27 food year, covering May 1, 2026 to April 30, 2027, while 160,000 metric tons have been allocated to GB. According to the ministry, the ECC approved a mechanism on November 1, 2024, under which Passco would provide wheat to recipient agencies in a 50:50 ratio of local and imported wheat, except G-B, for which a 75:25 local-to-imported ratio was approved. In accordance with that decision, Passco has been supplying AJK wheat in a 50:50 local-to-imported ratio since November 2024. Out of AJK's total allocation of 300,000 metric tons for the current food year, 63,801 metric tons have been lifted so far, leaving 236,199 metric tons still to be lifted. The ministry told the ECC that the AJK prime minister in a letter addressed to the prime minister of Pakistan, had raised concerns over the quality of imported wheat being supplied to the region. The AJK prime minister requested that Passco provide 100% local wheat from its stocks to improve the quality of flour supplied to consumers in the region. The Prime Minister's Office subsequently directed the Ministry of National Food Security to consider the matter and take necessary action. G-B has also raised similar concerns. The G-B government in a letter dated May 30, 2026, conveyed its reservations regarding the quality of imported wheat in Passco stocks and requested that the region be provided 100% local wheat. Under the existing ECC-approved mechanism, Passco has been supplying wheat to G-B in a 75:25 ratio of local and imported wheat since November 2024. Of the 160,000 metric tons allocated to G-B for the 2026-27 food year, 38,015 metric tons have been lifted, leaving 121,985 metric tons yet to be supplied. The ministry also informed the ECC about the recommendations of the Passco Board of Directors concerning the corporation's overall wheat stock position. At its 166th meeting held on June 15, 2026, the Passco board reviewed the available wheat stocks and noted that the current composition was approximately 85% local and 15% imported wheat. The board recommended that the Ministry of National Food Security approach the ECC for approval of an 85:15 local-to-imported wheat release ratio for all recipient agencies. The rationale was to ensure the timely disposal of Passco's imported wheat stocks along with the locally procured wheat. The Finance Division subsequently endorsed the proposal through an official memorandum dated August 5, 2026.