Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the authorities concerned to ensure sufficient fertilizer reserves for both Kharif and Rabi seasons.

He issued these directives while chairing a meeting in Islamabad today regarding food security and availability of fertilizers.

The Prime Minister further directed to ensure timely supply of fertilizers to farmers at all costs. He instructed that in view of possible disruption in fertilizer supply from Gulf countries, planning should be made to ensure alternate fertilizer availability from Central Asian countries.

Shehbaz Sharif said supply of natural gas is continuing to the industry for production of fertilizers domestically to meet the country’s needs. He directed the concerned ministries and institutions to ensure continuous monitoring of fertilizer availability across the country.

He directed to accelerate work for establishing new gas plants for enhancing fertilizer production domestically.

The Prime Minister said meeting the needs of the agriculture sector to ensure food security is among the government’s top priorities. He instructed to ensure taking strict action against hoarding and any attempt to create artificial shortage of fertilizer in the market.