Karachi Port Trust (KPT) is taking masseurs for smooth and speedy handling of 1.5 million mt of the imported wheat at the port.

According to KPT, Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP), Ministry of Commerce, Govt, of Pakistan, is importing wheat on an urgent basis to replenish the strategic reserves of the commodity in the country to ensure availability of grain in the domestic market at a lower price for General public.

Therefore, vessels carrying imported wheat will be given priority at Karachi Port.

It may be mentioned here that TCP, Karachi, a state-owned commercial organization working under the administrative control of Ministry of Commerce, Government of Pakistan, invited bids on August 20 from the International Wheat Suppliers for supply of 1,500,000 (Fifteen Hundred Thousand) metric tons Wheat through their local offices or representatives (registered with provincial/federal tax authorities) having the capacity to supply ‘Wheat’ (in bulk) through worldwide sources on CFR Karachi basis (in bulk shipment).

The country is facing wheat shortfall due to low crop productivity. Wheat output was less than 25 million metric tons during this year as against the consumption of some 25-26 million metric tons. Therefore, the government decided to import the commodity through the public and private sector to meet the domestic demand.

The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet, in January, allowed the duty-free import of wheat grains to avoid shortage and ensure the availability of wheat and wheat flour at a reasonable price across the country.