ISLAMABAD: Murtaza Solangi, Minister of Information, Broadcasting, and Parliamentary Affairs, told the Senate on Friday that there is enough fertilizer in the nation to supply domestic demand.
Zeeshan Khanzada responded to a call for attention regarding the difficulties farmers are facing as a result of the scarcity of urea fertilizer and its skyrocketing prices by expressing hope that, as a result of actions taken by the caretaker government in the coming days, there would be a further discernible drop in urea prices in the nation.
The minister claimed that as a result of government actions, urea prices, which had previously topped Rs. 5,000 per bag, had now dropped to Rs. 4,451 per bag.
Murtaza Solangi emphasized the importance of agriculture in Pakistan, pointing out that 40% of the labor force is employed in this crucial industry, and that it accounts for about 25% of the nation’s GDP.
In reference to the actions conducted by the government, he said that the government had lately imported over 220,000 tons of urea.
According to his calculations, domestic output was expected to be 3.28 million tons and the supply of urea during the Rabi season was expected to be 3.5 million tons, with an initial balance of 770,000 tons.
However, local production was down 225,000 tons as a result of the closure of two urea fertilizer factories from January to March.
In addition, a reduction in gas supply for Bin Qasim’s Fauji Fertilizer caused a 180,000-ton urea production shortfall this year.
The minister explained that the decision to import the fertilizer was delayed, which caused a brief scarcity and subsequent price swings. This had an effect on prices.
Regarding artificial scarcity, he charged that speculators and hoarders were trying to manipulate the market by inducing a fake shortage.
He said that since December 12, the availability and cost of fertilizer have been regularly reviewed by the federal government, province governments, and the fertilizer sector.
The minister reported to the Senate that hoarders have been targeted by the provinces; the Punjab government has lodged 950 First Information Reports and levied fines totaling Rs 104 million.
He stated that the Sindh government has also taken action against hoarding and levied fines of Rs. 4 million.
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According to him, the nation’s urea fertilizer supply and cost have improved as a result of these activities.
The National Fertilizer Marketing Limited is distributing the imported fertilizer, and two ships carrying 95,000 tons of urea have arrived, according to Murtaza Solangi, who also updated the parliamentarians.
