ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has asked officials to devise a plan to export surplus food items to Gulf countries, his office said on Sunday, amid supply disruptions caused by an ongoing Middle East conflict.
The ongoing United States-Israeli strikes on Iran and subsequent attacks by Tehran on US interests in Gulf countries have led to widespread supply disruptions in the region.
Sharif on Sunday presided over a meeting to review the food situation in Pakistan and export of abundant commodities in view of the evolving regional situation, according to his office.
Officials informed the prime minister that Pakistan has abundant stocks of food commodities and a vast potential to export agricultural commodities, meat, poultry, dairy and seafood.
“In the current situation, the provision of food commodities required by the Gulf countries and their food security should be taken care of,” Sharif was quoted as saying at the meeting.
“A comprehensive action plan should be formulated for the export of abundant food commodities to the Gulf countries without affecting Pakistani food needs.”
The prime minister directed the formation of a committee to review the situation on a daily basis, instructing Pakistan’s ambassadors and trade officers in brotherly Gulf countries to remain active in this regard.
“PNSC (Pakistan National Shipping Corporation) should take necessary steps to export food commodities to brotherly Gulf countries through sea route,” he said.
“High quality should be ensured while exporting food commodities to brotherly Gulf countries.”
