PM Shehbaz Sharif categorically refuses to allow private sector to import wheat

ISLAMABAD (APP) - Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that he will not allow the private sector to import wheat in view of emergency situation.

Chairing a review meeting of National Flood Response and Coordination Centre, the prime minister urged the provincial governments of Punjab and Khyber Pukhtunkhwa to rise above politics as the country grappled with the impact of flash floods and join the centre’s scheme of providing wheat seeds to farmers of the affected areas. He offered the two provinces to collaborate with the federal government under the scheme which will ensure funding for wheat seeds with 50 percent contribution from both sides.

The prime minister mentioned that Sindh and Balochistan had already agreed with the wheat scheme. However, despite the offer by the centre, Punjab and KP refused to cooperate and instead indulged in playing politics on the matter, he regretted.

“I request you to accept the offer in view of the plight of the flood-hit farmers. And if you still reject it, then don’t twist the facts that centre is not extending you assistance,” he said in a meeting also joined by chief secretaries of Punjab and KP.

Shehbaz Sharif emphasized that Pakistan as a federation comprised its provincial units and said the situation demanded unity at national level. “In view of emergency situation, I will not allow the private sector to import wheat. The government was aiming to get a better bidding of the wheat.”

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the government was effectively carrying out relief and rehabilitation work in post-flood scenario as the death toll crossed 1,700 including children.“The federal government through National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) was ensuring disbursement of Rs 880 million compensation money and relief goods including food, water, medicines and mosquito nets among the flood-affected families across the country. The relief supplies received from the friendly countries is being distributed through a very transparent channel of NDMA.

“China was sending ‘winter tents’ of good quality in view for the flood-struck people to help them cope with the upcoming harsh season,” he added.

The prime minister, who recently undertook a visit to Sohbatpur area of Balochistan, said the land was still inundated and posed threat of breakout of water-borne diseases.