ISLAMABAD: The federal government is considering exempting wheat imports from customs duties and taxes to help overcome growing shortages across the country, according to sources.
Officials said the Ministry of National Food Security has proposed waiving all applicable import taxes, including the provincial infrastructure development cess, to reduce the cost of bringing wheat into Pakistan.
As part of the plan, the government intends to import 1 million tonnes of wheat, while another 1 million tonnes currently stored in Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation (PASSCO) warehouses will be released to the provinces.
The wheat held by PASSCO is valued at approximately Rs141 billion, while the proposed imports are expected to cost around $340 million, sources said.
The move comes after provincial governments reported a substantial shortfall in their strategic wheat reserves, prompting the federal government to accelerate efforts to ensure adequate supplies.
To oversee the process, the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) has already formed a steering committee headed by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, which will supervise the planned wheat imports.
