Sindh and Punjab governments have reached a swap agreement for supply of 100,000 tonnes of wheat to Sindh on priority basis.
This agreement was reached after the Sindh Secretary Food, Mir Muhammad Parhiar, rushed to Lahore and held discussions with Punjab Food Minister and Food Secretary.
Under the agreement Sindh would return the wheat to Punjab soon after the harvest of wheat crop.
Following the agreement the officials of the food departments of every region have been directed to make personal efforts to accelerate the pace of transport of wheat from Punjab to various parts of Sindh.
They have also been asked to ensure that the maximum quantity of wheat should reach the wheat scarcity areas in the province before the Eid-ul-Azha holidays.
Meanwhile, the transportation of around 90,000 tonnes of Pakistan Agriculture Storage and Supply Corporation (Passco) wheat is continuing, but the wheat flour prices continue to be high as the price quoted in retail market is between Rs 13 to Rs 14 per Kg.
When the price hike of wheat flour was pointed out to top food officials, they told Business Recorder that it was the responsibility of district government to maintain the prices within the reach of common man and added that our responsibility is to ensure availability.
The district government officials when contacted said that they have no mechanism to streamline the price structure, however, efforts are being made to develop a mechanism.
Meanwhile, Zahid Hussain Memon, Deputy Director Food, Hyderabad Region, has been suspended with immediate effect on charges of mismanagement, while Asadullah has been assigned to hold the dual charge.
This was the fifth official of the food department Hyderabad region who has been suspended during the past 30 days.