Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday directed authorities to ensure uninterrupted fertiliser supplies to farmers and ordered continuous monitoring of stocks to safeguard the country’s food security.

Chairing a meeting on food security and fertiliser reserves in Islamabad, the prime minister said meeting the agricultural sector’s needs remained the government’s top priority.

According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, PM Shehbaz instructed relevant ministries and institutions to prepare alternative fertiliser import plans from Central Asian states in view of possible supply chain disruptions from Gulf countries.

He also directed authorities to maintain adequate fertiliser reserves for both Kharif and Rabi crop seasons and accelerate work on new fertiliser plants to boost domestic production.

The prime minister ordered strict action against artificial shortages and hoarding to protect farmers from exploitation and ensure market stability.

Officials informed the meeting that uninterrupted gas supply to fertiliser factories was continuing in line with national requirements to sustain local production.

The participants were also told that sufficient fertilizer stocks were currently 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.