Azad Kashmir: Affordable Wheat, Secure Future

For years, it has been argued that Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) suffers from exorbitant wheat prices and a lack of self-sufficiency in food production. Critics, often echoing hostile propaganda, portray AJK as vulnerable, dependent, and incapable of sustaining its population. Yet the facts, when examined closely, tell a different story. Wheat prices in AJK are not only competitive but the cheapest across the region, and despite the natural constraints of mountainous terrain, the region is producing significant quantities of wheat, while Pakistan ensures the shortfall is met through a strong support system.

The first myth to be dismantled is that AJK has the highest wheat prices in South Asia. The reality is the opposite. Data shows that wheat in AJK is priced at Rs. 2000, significantly lower than Punjab (Rs. 3900), Sindh (Rs. 4000), Balochistan (Rs. 4300), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (Rs. 3950), and even IIOJK (Rs. 4500). This alone is enough to challenge the propaganda. In an era where inflation and food insecurity dominate headlines, AJK stands as a region where the government ensures affordability for its people.

This achievement is not accidental, it is the result of Pakistan’s deliberate policies of subsidization, logistical support, and a priority focus on food security for Kashmiris. For the people of AJK, wheat affordability means more than just cheaper flour; it represents stability, dignity, and protection from hunger in difficult economic times.

AJK is a land of mountains, rivers, and valleys. Unlike Punjab’s fertile plains, it is not naturally suited for mass cultivation of wheat. Yet, against the odds, AJK produces around 113,000 tons annually. While this accounts for just over 20 percent of its annual requirement (520,000 tons), the shortfall is met through coordinated supply from Pakistan’s mainland.

This is where Pakistan’s commitment becomes evident. Instead of allowing shortages or price hikes, Islamabad ensures consistent flows of wheat into AJK to guarantee stability. It is a partnership of geography and governance: AJK contributes what its terrain allows, and Pakistan fills the gap to safeguard food security.

Some comparisons when made between AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) shows another picture too. GB’s climate does not support wheat cultivation at all. AJK, despite being mountainous, still manages to sustain a level of indigenous production. This is a strength, not a weakness, proving that Kashmiri farmers, even with limited land and resources, continue to contribute to their own food security. It highlights resilience and adaptability, two qualities deeply embedded in Kashmiri society.

The importance of wheat in South Asia cannot be overstated. It is not just a crop; it is the backbone of diets, culture, and economic stability. In this context, Pakistan’s policy toward AJK is a lifeline. By ensuring that wheat reaches AJK at the lowest price in the country, Pakistan not only addresses hunger but also undercuts hostile narratives designed to depict the region as marginalized.

Critics who speak of shortages fail to acknowledge this reality: while Punjab produces nearly 25 million tons of wheat annually, a part of that production is earmarked to sustain AJK’s population. This reflects Pakistan’s political and moral commitment to Kashmir.

Compare this with Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK). Despite having a population larger than AJK and being under India’s control for decades, wheat prices there stand at a staggering Rs. 4500, the highest among all regions. Instead of subsidies and support, people of IIOJK face exploitation and market manipulation. This exposes the hollowness of New Delhi’s claims of “development” in occupied Kashmir.

AJK, backed by Pakistan, demonstrates a model of partnership: where the state steps in to provide food security, stabilize prices, and empower local farmers, even when natural conditions are unfavorable. This is development not in slogans, but in real terms of affordability and accessibility.

The challenge for AJK is not insurmountable. While terrain limits mass cultivation, innovations in terrace farming, high-yield seeds, and climate-smart agriculture could gradually increase production. Pakistan has already initiated programs across its provinces to modernize agriculture; extending these to AJK will boost local production. Combined with continued subsidized supply from the mainland, this dual approach ensures that AJK remains both food-secure and progressively self-reliant.

The perception of exorbitant wheat prices in AJK is a myth shattered by the facts. With the cheapest wheat across Pakistan, supplemented by significant local production and Pakistan’s unwavering support, AJK is far from deprived. Instead, it stands as an example of how a small, mountainous region can ensure food security when backed by a state committed to its people.

In a time when occupation forces exploit hunger as a tool of control, Azad Kashmir shows another model: one where freedom, affordability, and dignity combine to guarantee that every Kashmiri has bread on the table. This is Pakistan’s promise to AJK, and it is being delivered.