Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Begins Release of 136,000 Metric Tons of Wheat from Strategic Reserves

Peshawar: Following instructions from the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Food Department has started releasing 136,000 metric tons of wheat from the province’s strategic reserves.

Chief Minister Suhail Afridi stated that the move aims to protect citizens from price pressures after the Punjab government imposed restrictions on inter-provincial trade. He emphasized that the availability of essential food items will not be held hostage to provincial or administrative barriers.

Afridi highlighted that Article 151 of the Constitution of Pakistan guarantees the free movement of goods across the country. He noted that the open market price of 100 kg of wheat has reached PKR 13,650, while the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government will provide it at a subsidized rate of PKR 10,414 per 100 kg.

The Chief Minister added that flour will be available to the public at PKR 2,220 per 20 kg instead of the current PKR 3,020. He assured that the wheat release process will be fully transparent and follow a predetermined procedure, supplying only deserving flour mills and authorized dealers.

Afridi further stated that sales of flour at government-fixed rates will be strictly ensured, with monitoring and physical verification at district and tehsil levels. Strict action will be taken against hoarders and those violating the official rates. He affirmed that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government stands firmly with its citizens and will not compromise on the interests of the poor.