The ruling Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PMLN) is considering a substantial Rs500 billion subsidy to address the wheat procurement crisis, Aaj News reported on Saturday.

PMLN leader Nawaz Sharif convened a party meeting at his residence in Jati Umrah on Friday night to address the pressing issue, particularly affecting the Punjab government led by his daughter, Maryam Nawaz.

Sharif has summoned Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to Jati Umrah to deliberate on the wheat procurement policy. Originally scheduled for Sunday, the meeting has been rescheduled to Saturday (today) due to the urgency of the matter, according to sources.

Shehbaz Sharif is expected to present a report on the wheat crisis by Sunday, after which the government will make a final decision regarding wheat procurement.

The Punjab government has been slow to act on wheat procurement due to already high stocks of the commodity. Despite setting the support price at Rs3900 per 40kg, the government intends to purchase only a limited quantity from farmers.

PMLN officials have attributed the excessive import of wheat, causing Rs300 billion in losses to the exchequer, to the caretaker government.

Sources revealed that during the Friday night meeting at Jati Umrah, various proposals were discussed to support farmers, including the purchase of wheat and providing them with a Rs500 billion subsidy under Kisan Cards.

It was brought to Nawaz Sharif’s attention during the meeting that, following the interim government’s order for wheat imports, a ship docked at Pakistani ports within seven days, significantly faster than the usual 25-day journey from countries like Australia.

Farmers have made claims about the poor quality of the imported wheat.