Pakistan's Wheat Policy Exposed as Shortage Looms Despite Record Harvest

Pakistan's decision to import up to one million metric tonnes of wheat has exposed a contradiction in its food-security policy. Despite harvesting a larger crop, the country is again preparing to spend scarce foreign exchange on imported grain.

The federal institution responsible for procuring and storing wheat, PASSCO, is being wound down, while its proposed successor, the Wheat Stocks Management Company (WSMC), has yet to establish a clear public operational record.

Pakistan's population growth has outpaced production increases, leading to a narrowing per-capita wheat cushion. Even with 29.61 million tonnes of national production in 2025-26, the country still faces challenges in maintaining strategic reserves and releasing stocks to stabilize markets.