Pakistan Minister Directs Quality Checks on Urea, Announces Measures Against Overcharging

Islamabad, In a bid to ensure the quality and affordability of urea fertilizer across Pakistan, Minister for Industries, Production, and National Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain has tasked the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority with overseeing the value-added urea products from local fertilizer companies.

According to Press Information Department, during a review meeting held on Saturday, Minister Hussain directed measures to maintain stable urea prices and availability during the Kharif agricultural season of 2024. The meeting, which also included Dr. Mussadiq Malik, Minister of Energy, and CEOs from major fertilizer companies such as FFCL, FFBCL, Engro Corporation, Agritech, and Fatima Fertilizer Corporation, addressed concerns about potential price hikes and supply disruptions.

Minister Hussain announced the introduction of toll-free numbers for reporting overcharging by dealers, a step aimed at supporting growers by ensuring they receive all agricultural inputs at sustainable rates. He also reported that the estimated urea availability for the Kharif season is 3,394 thousand tons, with expected consumption around 3,156 thousand tons, confirming sufficient stocks are available.

Furthermore, it was agreed that fertilizer companies would adopt a uniform pricing mechanism starting the next Rabi season, with retail prices to be standardized nationwide. The minister emphasized the importance of uninterrupted gas supply for full-capacity operation of manufacturing units and warned that dealers charging above the set retail price would be blacklisted.

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