LAHORE: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday directed the relevant authorities to ensure strict and complete monitoring of supply and demand of food items across the country in order to safeguard national food requirements and maintain market stability.
Chairing a meeting to review the country’s overall food situation and prospects for exporting surplus food items in light of the changing regional situation, the prime minister was briefed that Pakistan currently had sufficient stocks of essential food commodities and that there was no shortage of any key item in the country. Officials informed the meeting that the existing reserves were adequate to meet domestic demand in the coming months.
The prime minister observed that disruptions in global supply chains in recent months had created increased opportunities for Pakistani agricultural and food products in regional and international markets. He said Pakistan should take advantage of these opportunities by enhancing exports while carefully safeguarding domestic food security.
He directed that special attention should be given to meeting the food requirements of Gulf countries, which are important trading partners of Pakistan, while ensuring that the country’s own food security remains fully protected. The prime minister stressed that exports must not compromise the availability of essential commodities for the local population.
PM Shehbaz Sharif instructed the relevant ministries and departments to formulate a comprehensive and practical strategy for exporting surplus food items to Gulf countries without affecting domestic food needs. He emphasised that such a plan should focus on identifying exportable surpluses, improving logistics and strengthening trade coordination with friendly countries in the region.
He also emphasised that high quality standards must be ensured in the export of food products to friendly Gulf states so that Pakistani goods can compete effectively in international markets and maintain a positive reputation abroad. He directed the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation to take all necessary measures to facilitate the export of food items to Gulf countries through efficient and cost-effective sea routes. He said improved maritime logistics would help enhance the country’s export capacity and ensure timely delivery of products to foreign markets.
During the meeting, participants were informed in detail about the current stocks and production levels of various food items in the country. Officials said Pakistan’s agricultural sector, including crops, meat, poultry, dairy products and seafood, possesses significant export potential and can contribute substantially to the national economy if managed effectively.
The prime minister directed the formation of a committee comprising representatives of relevant ministries and departments to review the situation on a daily basis and closely monitor the supply and export of food commodities. He also instructed Pakistan’s ambassadors and trade officers posted in Gulf countries to remain active and fully engaged in promoting Pakistani exports, identifying new market opportunities and strengthening trade ties with host countries.
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Federal Ministers Jam Kamal Khan, Rana Tanveer Hussain and Ahsan Iqbal, Special Assistant Haroon Akhtar, senior government officials, provincial chief secretaries and representatives of relevant private sector associations attended the meeting and shared their views on improving food exports.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif paid tribute to the country’s security forces for carrying out a successful operation against Fitna al-Khwarij (terrorists) in District Lakki Marwat.
The premier appreciated the security forces for killing five terrorists during the intelligence-based operation and commended their professionalism and commitment to protecting the country. He stated that under the vision of Azm-i-Istehkam, the security forces are achieving major successes in the ongoing fight against terrorism and are determined to ensure lasting peace and stability in the country.
Shehbaz Sharif said, “The entire nation stands with Pakistan’s armed forces in this war against terrorism and fully supports their efforts to eliminate extremist elements. We are determined to completely eliminate all forms of terrorism from the country and ensure a peaceful and secure future for Pakistan.”
Meanwhile, amid rising tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, Pakistan’s plan to receive a Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) carrying nearly two million barrels of crude oil at Port of Duqm has been shelved. Saudi Arabia informed Islamabad the port is no longer considered safe for such a massive vessel following recent security incidents in the region.
Instead, Riyadh has agreed to supply four separate crude oil cargoes directly to Pakistan to ensure uninterrupted energy supplies. According to well-placed officials, Pakistan had requested the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to deploy a VLCC that would anchor near Oman, from where crude oil could be transferred to smaller ships for onward delivery to Pakistani terminals. However, Saudi authorities conveyed that deploying a supertanker in the area was not feasible under the current security environment.
Under the revised arrangement, crude oil will now be shipped in four smaller cargoes to Pakistan’s main oil terminals at Keamari Port and Port Qasim. Earlier, Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) had hired a consultancy firm to assess whether a VLCC could safely anchor in Pakistan’s offshore waters and whether ship-to-ship transfer operations could be carried out. This would allow crude oil to be transferred from a mother vessel to smaller daughter ships before being transported to domestic ports. However, the company has yet to submit its feasibility report.
Given the urgency of Pakistan’s energy requirements, Saudi authorities agreed to immediately arrange four cargo shipments — each carrying about 70,000 barrels — rather than wait for the study to be completed. Officials said Pakistan’s refineries currently have adequate crude oil stocks to meet near-term demand. A senior official said Pak-Arab Refinery Limited (Parco) alone has sufficient crude supplies until April 16, taking into account cargoes already ordered.
Meanwhile, shipments are already on their way. A cargo carrying about 73,000 barrels of crude oil loaded from Yanbu Port has crossed Red Sea, entered the waters near Oman, and is expected to reach Pakistan between March 18 and 19.
Out of the four cargoes being arranged in place of VLCC, Pakistan has so far booked three shipments, while the fourth is expected to be ordered within the next two days. Of the cargoes booked, one will be supplied to National Refinery Limited (NRL), another to PARCO, while the third will be shared between PARCO and Pakistan Refinery Limited (PRL) in an 80:20 ratio.
Despite evolving security challenges in regional waters, major suppliers Saudi Aramco and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) are said to be cooperating closely with Pakistani authorities to ensure the country’s energy supply chain remains stable during the current period of heightened tension.
