ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has taken a decisive step toward wheat market deregulation, as stakeholders in a national workshop agreed on key reforms to enhance market efficiency, boost private-sector participation, and modernize infrastructure. The Ministry of National Food Security and Research (MNFSR), in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), hosted the event in Islamabad, bringing together provincial representatives, private sector leaders, and international development partners to formulate a comprehensive strategy for wheat sector reforms.
The government reaffirmed its resolve to implement wheat market deregulation without restrictions on wheat movement. Industry representatives pledged investment in modern storage facilities and supply chain optimization. Digital trading platforms and precision agriculture were highlighted as key areas for development, while participants stressed the importance of strategic partnerships to ensure food security and economic sustainability.
The workshop commenced with opening remarks by Secretary MNFSR, Mr. Waseem Ajmal Chaudhry, who emphasized the importance of a collaborative, multi-stakeholder approach to wheat market reforms. By ensuring participation from all provinces, the Ministry aimed to formulate policies reflective of ground realities across Pakistan.
Dr. Akmal Siddiq, Technical Advisor, MNFSR, emphasized the crucial role of provincial authorities in implementing deregulation frameworks. Mr. Oliver Durand, Lead Agriculture Specialist at the World Bank, pointed out Pakistan’s low wheat productivity and the need for strategic investments in the value chain to boost efficiency. A comprehensive review of wheat price trends (2009–2023) provided critical context on economic challenges and policy gaps.
Presenters outlined plans to modernize grain storage infrastructure, focusing on efficiency, food safety, and private-sector investments in strategic wheat reserves. The workshop also stressed the need for digitized trading platforms to empower farmers, improve access to markets, and enhance transparency in commodity trading.
Representatives from all provinces shared their roadmaps for wheat sector reforms, highlighting key hurdles such as infrastructure deficits, policy misalignment, and resource constraints. The Ministry assured participants of its dedication to resolving these challenges through a robust national policy.
Private sector representatives voiced their support for deregulation, stressing that an open-market system would drive innovation, competition, and investment. However, they also called for clear policy direction and a stable regulatory framework to ensure a fair and transparent trading environment.
In his concluding remarks, Federal Minister for Food Security and Research, Mr. Rana Tanveer Hussain, reaffirmed the government’s unwavering resolve to implement wheat market deregulation in its true spirit. He emphasized the unrestricted movement of wheat across the country, the adoption of modern agricultural practices and technology-driven solutions, and the strengthening of public-private partnerships to ensure food security and economic sustainability.
