According to sources, 4.5 million tons of wheat are allegedly unaccounted for in Punjab, while another 600,000 tons are reportedly missing from official records in Sindh, raising concerns over wheat stocks, possible hoarding and future import requirements.
Sources say that unless a transparent investigation is conducted, Pakistan’s wheat import bill could rise to $1 billion.
According to the reports, the issue was discussed during a high-level meeting, where Punjab officials asked other provinces whether the missing wheat had been transported there. Officials from other provinces reportedly denied having any information and suggested that the wheat may have been hoarded.
Sources further said that the government had fixed the wheat support price at Rs3,500 per maund, which reportedly discouraged private sector purchases. The Punjab government later encouraged private buyers to procure wheat, but the private sector sought bank financing to support purchases.
Reports also stated that wheat prices in Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa reached Rs4,500 per maund at the start of the season, while some traders allegedly purchased wheat from farmers without tax or permit requirements and stockpiled it.
Agricultural experts say Punjab has gradually shifted over the past two to three years from government procurement toward greater reliance on private-sector wheat purchases.
The reported claims have not yet been officially confirmed, and authorities have not released the findings of any formal investigation.
