PM orders uninterrupted supply of fertiliser to safeguard food security

• Asks ministries to explore alternative fertiliser imports from Central Asia
• Reiterates Balochistan’s development as federal govt’s top priority
• Says waste-to-energy projects can reduce fuel imports, carbon footprint

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday directed the authorities concerned to ensure the timely provision of fertiliser to farmers at all costs and ordered continuous monitoring of fertiliser supplies to safeguard the country’s food security.

Chairing a meeting on food security and fertiliser reserves in the capital, the prime minister said fulfilling the agricultural sector’s requirements remained the government’s top priority to ens­ure national food security, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

He directed the relevant ministries and institutions to formulate contingency plans for alternative fertiliser supplies from Central Asian states in view of possible disruptions in supply chains from Gulf countries.

The prime minister also instructed authorities to ensure sufficient fertiliser stocks for both kharif and rabi crop seasons and emphasised accelerating work on projects aimed at increasing local fertiliser production through the installation of new plants.

During the meeting, he directed strict action against artificial shortages and hoarding of fertiliser to protect farmers from exploitation and maintain stable supplies in the market.

The meeting was informed that the uninterrupted supply of natural gas to fertiliser factories was continuing in line with national requirements to sustain local production. The participants were also told that adequate fertiliser stocks were available for kharif crops.

Federal ministers Rana Tanveer Hussain, Ahad Khan Cheema and Ali Pervaiz Malik, Minister of State Bilal Azhar Kayani, Special Assistant Haroon Akhtar, and senior officials attended the meeting.

Balochistan development

In a separate meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz reiterated that the development, prosperity and welfare of the people of Balochistan remained the federal government’s top priority.

Meeting a delegation of senior politicians and senators from Balochistan at the Prime Minister’s Office, the premier said the province was rich in natural resources and stressed that the government was making every possible effort to ensure that its people fully benefited from them.

He said the federal government, in collaboration with the provincial administration, was actively working for the progress and uplift of Balochistan and undertaking measures aimed at improving the living standards of its people.

The delegation included Senator Mir Dostain Khan Domki, Balochistan Minister for Public Health Engineering Sardar Abdul Rehman Khetran, MPA Sardar Changez Marri and Mir Khuda Bakhsh Marri.

The participants also discussed matters relating to the province’s overall development and public welfare.

Solid waste management

In another meeting, the prime minister directed the relevant authorities to introduce a modern and sustainable solid waste management system across the country in coordination with provincial governments.

He also decided to formulate a comprehensive roadmap for generating electricity from solid waste as part of the government’s strategy to promote renewable and environmentally friendly energy sources.

The prime minister directed the formation of a task force to prepare a detailed action plan for converting solid waste into energy.

He said the task force would develop recommendations in light of modern technology and international best practices, and instructed officials to include private sector representatives and internationally renowned experts to make the initiative more effective and result-oriented.

PM Shehbaz said generating energy from solid waste would help reduce dependence on imported fuel and save valuable foreign exchange reserves.

He added that an improved waste management system would also significantly reduce the country’s carbon footprint and contribute to sustainable development.

Law and order

Later, the prime minister was given a briefing on the overall law and order and security situation in the country.

On the occasion, he directed authorities to ensure merit in law enforcement agencies and eradicate corruption within them.

He said safeguarding people’s lives and maintaining peace remained the government’s top priority.

Published in Dawn, May 13th, 2026