The federal government has decided to lift the ban on inter-provincial transportation of wheat and abolish duties on import of the commodity in order to ensure its sufficient availability in the country.

According to a press release issued by PM Office on Sunday, these decisions were taken at a high level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan in Islamabad. Country’s wheat needs and flour price hike came under discussion at the meeting.

During the meeting, it was decided that the government would allow inter-provincial transportation of wheat and remove all check posts established between the provinces to check movement of wheat. The government would also allow import of wheat through private sector without any restriction of the limit. The meeting decided to abolish six percent and additional two percent duties currently applicable on wheat import.

It was decided that the government would curb the smuggling of wheat and flour and launch a huge crackdown on the hoarders. The meeting also discussed in detail the volume of wheat crop in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, procurement by the provincial governments, available stocks and needs of the provinces.