The government unveils a National Wheat Policy after nearly four decades, plans strategic reserves of six million tonnes and pledges to protect farmers from market volatility.

Islamabad, October 26, 2026: Pakistan has fixed the wheat support price at Rs4,500 per maund under a new National Wheat Policy aimed at strengthening food security, protecting farmers and stabilising domestic wheat markets.

Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain announced the decision at a press conference in Islamabad, alongside Pakistan Kissan Ittehad President Khalid Mahmood Khokhar.

The minister said the policy had been formulated after nearly four decades and followed extensive consultations with provincial governments to reach a consensus on wheat pricing.

He announced that the government planned to maintain strategic wheat reserves of up to six million metric tonnes during the current year to ensure uninterrupted supplies and guard against market disruptions.

Rana Tanveer Hussain assured the public that adequate arrangements had been made to meet national wheat requirements and prevent shortages.

He said imported wheat would also cost approximately Rs4,500 per maund, making domestic procurement a more suitable option for supporting local farmers.

The minister disclosed that more than 1.3 million metric tonnes of wheat had been supplied to provincial governments from Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation (PASSCO) stocks. The government could also arrange imports of up to 550,000 metric tonnes, depending on provincial requirements.

Addressing recent increases in wheat prices, he described the rise as artificial and linked it to market manipulation by certain elements. He said the government was monitoring market developments and would take action against speculative practices, artificial shortages and unjustified price increases.

The minister added that prices were expected to return to normal within days.

He also highlighted government policies concerning seeds, olives and biotechnology, saying modern agricultural technologies, quality seeds and improved regulation were essential to raising productivity and reducing farmers’ production costs.

Khalid Mahmood Khokhar welcomed the Rs4,500-per-maund support price, describing predictable pricing as important for protecting farmers’ interests.

The government said the wheat policy formed part of broader efforts to strengthen agricultural productivity, rural prosperity and Pakistan’s long-term food security.