Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has directed the Food Department to begin releasing official wheat stocks to flour mills starting October 1, 2026. The strategic move aims to expand market supply, curb artificial shortages, and significantly bring down flour prices for consumers across the province.
Presiding over a high-level meeting at CM House, the Chief Minister underscored that consumer relief and price stability remain top government priorities. He ordered district administrations and food authorities to crack down on illegal hoarding, expedite the seizure of unauthorized stocks, and complete procurement arrangements ahead of the October release date.
Key highlights from the meeting:
- Crackdown on Hoarded Stocks: A total of 226,918 metric tons (MT) of wheat has been seized across Sindh. Out of 144,431 MT cleared for lifting, 59,223 MT has already been moved to storage facilities, with remaining stocks being fast-tracked into government custody.
- Current & Future Reserves: Sindh currently holds around 303,829 MT of available wheat, with Karachi holding the largest reserve at 119,534 MT.
- Procurement & Import Strategy: To further reinforce state reserves, Sindh plans to procure up to 223,455 MT from PASSCO (with transportation tenders opening on Sept 22, 2026). Additionally, the provincial government is monitoring federal plans via TCP to import 0.3 million metric tons (MMT) of wheat.
- Flour Mill Operations: Officials reviewed Karachi’s 96 operational flour mills (boasting a total grinding capacity of 424,473 MT), ensuring smooth coordination so that subsidized wheat translates directly into affordable consumer flour.
CM Murad Ali Shah reiterated that the provincial government will maintain strict market surveillance to prevent speculative trading, ensure supply chain transparency, and deliver tangible relief to the public.
