KARACHI:

The Karachi Port Trust (KPT) on Wednesday said a vessel carrying 51,000 metric tonnes of wheat has docked at the port, with handling operations underway at Berths 16 and 17, highlighting the port’s role in ensuring the uninterrupted supply of essential commodities as well as food security.

“The geared vessel MV Gokova M, carrying a declared manifest of 51,000 metric tonnes of wheat, was allocated Berths 16 and 17 and arrived at Karachi Port at 1225 hours on October 28, 2026,” the authority said in a post on X.

It added that the bulk carrier, MV Gokova M, unloaded cargo at Karachi Gateway Terminal Multipurpose Limited (KGTML).

“Another geared vessel, MV Great Rainbow, carrying 59,132.19 metric tonnes of wheat, is expected to arrive on November 3,” the statement said, adding that cumulatively, the total shipment of wheat would then amount to over 110,000 metric tonnes.

According to a KPT spokesperson, the operations underscore KGTML’s capacity to handle large volumes of bulk commodities and the port’s contribution to maintaining the smooth flow of the country’s imports.

DPM Dar reviews wheat stocks, import plans to stabilise supplies

Separately, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar chaired a meeting of the Steering Committee on Wheat to review the country’s overall grain availability and examine import plans aimed at maintaining a steady supply in the domestic market.

According to a statement issued after the meeting, FM Dar emphasised that maintaining adequate wheat stocks and preventing disruptions in the supply of grain remained among the government’s top priorities.

Read: Pakistan, FAO to strengthen cooperation in food security

He stressed the need for effective coordination between federal and provincial authorities to ensure the availability of essential food commodities at affordable prices.

The deputy prime minister directed the relevant authorities to closely monitor market trends and ensure adequate wheat supplies across Pakistan.

He also called for measures to ensure that flour prices followed a downward trajectory.

The meeting was attended by National Food Security and Research Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Bajwa and senior officials from the provinces and relevant ministries and departments.

A day earlier, Hussain said the federal government had formulated a National Wheat Policy after nearly four decades and fixed the wheat price at Rs4,500 per maund.

He said all the provincial governments were consulted before the move.

Highlighting the food security strategy, he also announced that strategic wheat reserves of up to six million metric tonnes would be maintained during the current year to ensure uninterrupted grain supply and protect the country against potential market disruptions.

“There would be no shortage of wheat this year.”