ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain on Monday urged an increase in wheat cultivation across the country to safeguard national food security. Speaking at the first meeting of the National Wheat Oversight Committee under the Interim National Wheat Policy 2025–26, the minister emphasized wheat’s strategic importance in meeting Pakistan’s food requirements. The meeting also reviewed procurement mechanisms for the upcoming wheat crop in line with the policy’s objectives. Rana Tanveer Hussain called on provincial governments to fully implement the policy to protect the rights of wheat farmers and flour consumers. He also stressed the importance of involving the private sector in the wheat value chain to create business opportunities and employment, particularly for youth, and urged provinces to maintain strategic wheat reserves based on population requirements. All provincial governments must maintain strategic wheat reserves in accordance with their population requirements to ensure food security, he said. The Interim National Wheat Policy 2025–26 aims to transition from a state-dominated procurement system to a market-based wheat economy, ensure price stability through market-consistent indicative prices, and build and manage strategic reserves sufficient to safeguard food security. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025