LAHORE: Punjab has supplied around 850,000 metric tonnes of wheat to other provinces, while the total estimated inter-provincial movement from the province stands between 1.4 million and 1.5 million tonnes, Director Food Punjab Amjad Hafeez said on Monday. He clarified that Islamabad alone received more than 700,000 metric tonnes of wheat from Punjab, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has also been provided a significant share through a transparent permit system. Rejecting reports of restrictions, Hafeez claimed no ban has been imposed on wheat transportation. He emphasized that inter-district movement across Punjab is fully allowed and has never been subject to quotas, administrative hurdles, or restrictions. According to him, the permit system, wherever applicable, is purely a facilitation and monitoring mechanism aimed at compiling accurate transportation data, discouraging hoarding and speculation, and supporting evidence-based policymaking, rather than disrupting trade or markets. “All claims regarding restrictions on wheat movement are baseless and contrary to ground realities,” Hafeez said, adding that the Punjab government is utilizing all available resources to ensure national food security and price stability. He further noted that sustained actions are underway to curb hoarding and profiteering, with the protection of farmers’ and consumers’ interests remaining a top government priority. Urging responsible reporting, Hafeez called on the media to rely on verified data and avoid spreading unfounded rumours, reiterating that no administrative barriers exist in inter-provincial wheat trade.