Peshawar, In a recent joint press conference held at Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House in Islamabad, Food Minister Zahir Shah, along with Advisor for Information and Public Relations Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, declared the provincial government’s decision to exclusively purchase locally sourced wheat, sidestepping imports to bolster regional agriculture.
According to Directorate General Information and PRs – Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Minister Shah detailed the transparent procurement process, noting that so far, 27,300 metric tons of wheat have been purchased from local farmers, with a total target of 6 lakh tons set for the initial phase. The decision aims to pump approximately 12 billion rupees into the local economy, reflecting a shift towards supporting domestic agricultural sectors over foreign imports. Additionally, the recent price adjustments in wheat have led to reductions in bread prices within the province, aligning with broader efforts to stabilize food costs for residents.
During the conference, Barrister Saif also addressed local security concerns, dispelling rumors of a drone attack in the region and criticizing the federal government’s neglect of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly in terms of administrative appointments and the integration of the merged districts formerly known as FATA.