PM Shehbaz urges boost in food exports to Gulf countries

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif chaired an important meeting on the food situation in the country and food exports.

The meeting reviewed the food supply and demand, export potential and domestic reserves in view of the changing global and regional situation in the region.

The Prime Minister clarified that Pakistan has ample food stocks and there is no shortage of anything. He directed that high-quality food products should be exported to the brotherly Gulf countries without affecting the country’s food requirements, and that opportunities created in global supply chains should be taken advantage of.

The meeting was informed that Pakistan’s agricultural sector, including agricultural commodities, meat, poultry, dairy and seafood, has vast export potential. The Prime Minister directed the formation of a committee in this regard, which will review the situation on a daily basis and directed the ambassadors and trade officers posted in the brotherly Gulf countries to remain active.

The Prime Minister further directed that all steps for the export of food items through the PNSC sea route should be completed in a timely and effective manner. The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Federal Ministers Jam Kamal Khan, Rana Tanveer Hussain, Ahad Khan Cheema, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Haroon Akhtar and relevant senior officials. Provincial Chief Secretaries and representatives of private associations of the relevant sectors also attended the meeting.

According to the Prime Minister, the quality and quantity of food items supplied to the brotherly Gulf countries should be ensured so that Pakistan’s exports increase and its role in food security in the region remains strong.