Pervaiz Elahi terms wheat procurement drive a failure

LAHORE: PML-Q leader and former Punjab Chief Minister, Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi has said that wheat growers have been facing difficulties in selling their wheat and termed the wheat procurement drive a failure in the province.

Addressing a press conference after meeting Kissan Wing office holders of PML (Q) drawn from all over Punjab here Monday, he said the farmers have to wait for days to sell their wheat and miles long queues could be seen at the procurement centres.

He alleged that farmers were not being paid against the cheques issued by the government and the farmers were left at the mercy of the middlemen who were offering Rs.850/- per 40 kg wheat.

He was of the view that flour prices would go sky-high in the near future since the government has decided to provide wheat to the flourmills at Rs. 1050 per 40 kg.

He dispelled the notion that the government could export wheat adding the government's purchase cost was 326 dollars a ton while the wheat was being sold at 225 dollar per ton in the international market.