The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has announced it will begin purchasing 225,000 metric tonnes of wheat directly from farmers on May 20 at a support price of Rs3,500 per maund, with payment guaranteed within 24 hours of supply.

Finance Adviser Muzammil Aslam said the provincial government would use its own resources to fund the procurement drive, adding that all 100 government-owned warehouses would be filled to full capacity under the plan.

Aslam issued a pointed warning to the Punjab government against blocking wheat transportation routes into KP, stating that if inter-provincial supply was obstructed, the province would seek federal permission to import wheat directly.

He did not elaborate on the nature of anticipated obstacles, but the statement signals existing inter-provincial tension over wheat movement.

The direct procurement model is designed to cut out middlemen and ensure farmers receive timely payment, with the provincial government committing to clear dues within a day of receiving supplies.