The Senate Standing Committee on Food Security has ordered the Ministry of Food Security to investigate the country’s urea crisis.
Senator Muzaffar Hussain Shah, the chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Food Security, conducted a meeting. Whereas a wheat support price could not be determined, the committee decided to write a letter to the government about it. The committee proposed that the support price be set before the wheat is sown.
Senator Shah stated that the government should establish a board to fix the support price, which should include PASCO, provinces, and other stakeholders.
During the meeting, the topic of rising urea prices was also discussed. The chairman of the committee asked as to who was responsible for the market shortage. This is not a topic within their ministry, according to the secretary of food security.
Senator Shah then stated that no one has yet been held responsible for the price hike and urea shortage, and urged the government to look into the situation.
The chairman also questioned why urea plants were shuttered from June to September, pointing out that this resulted in hoarding and a price hike.
He added that because urea supply was inadequate to satisfy demand, they decided to offer gas to these plants on par with export-oriented industries.
The committee also sought details of transfers from the PARC chairman. The meeting also discussed ways of promoting kitchen gardening.
