The Pakistan Development Policy Series 2021 is a series of policy talks inviting discussion and debate on key reform areas critical to Pakistan’s economic, social and development growth. This session of the series focused on the nature of food price inflation in Pakistan, especially in the fresh produce and milk & meat market. The discussion  centered on how the government can play a more facilitative and supportive role in maintaining food price stability, particularly in response to shocks like COVID-19.

The discussion was guided by focus questions:

1. What are the channels through which government intervention impacts food prices?

2. What are the key policy changes necessary for the government to play a more supportive role in ensuring stable prices and supplies?

3. How can the supply chains and the services provided by the transporters, middlemen, wholesalers, and retailers be improved?

4. How are supply and demand driven inflationary pressures in food markets managed in other countries?

Mr. Asad Rehman Gilani (Secretary Agriculture, Punjab).

Mr. Kaukab Iqbal (Chairman, Consumers Association of Pakistan).

Ms. Namesh Nazar (Agricultural Economist, World Bank).

Mr. Omar Hayat Gondal (Ph.D. Candidate at the University of Washington, former Civil Servant).

Mr. Shariq Vohra (President, Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry).

Mr. Shaukat Mukhtar (General Secretary and Spokesperson of the Dairy Farmers’ Association).

The session was co-chaired by Mr. Najy Benhassine, World Bank Country Director for Pakistan, and Dr. Ijaz Nabi, Chairperson of the Consortium for Development Policy Research (CDPR) and Country Director of the International Growth Centre (IGC) Pakistan.