Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain has categorically stated that there is no shortage of wheat in the country.

Addressing a news conference in Islamabad today, he said a recent hike in wheat prices has been artificially created.

He said, under the directives of the Prime Minister, all the provinces have been directed to immediately address this issue and manage it accordingly.

The Minister said agriculture is the backbone of Pakistan's economy, and the Prime Minister himself is fully focused on its development.

He emphasized the need to take full benefit from innovations and latest equipment and research for development of Pakistan's agriculture sector.

He said the government has fixed the wheat support price at four thousand five hundred rupees per forty kilograms to support farmers, encourage wheat cultivation and maintain price stability.

Rana Tanveer Hussain said all the stakeholders endorsed the current fixation of price as farmers have to face mounting production costs over the past two years, including higher electricity tariffs, fertilizer prices, seed costs and other agricultural inputs.

The Minister termed the recent fixation of wheat prices as a balanced approach aimed at supporting farmers and boosting domestic production.

Rana Tanveer Hussain expressed the confidence that farmers would respond positively to the support price by increasing wheat cultivation and investing in agricultural inputs. He said it will also help the country move towards obtaining a wheat surplus in the next season.

He also expressed optimism that the recent support price for wheat is good for the farmers, and Pakistan will be able to export wheat next year.