Pakistan, July 21 -- Gilgit-Baltistan is facing a serious wheat shortage as the region's reserve stocks have completely run out, and no fresh subsidised supply has arrived from the federal government. Local officials from the GB food department revealed that despite a Rs20 billion federal allocation for wheat in the current fiscal year, not a single sack has reached the region.

Residents of Gilgit-Baltistan depend almost entirely on the federally subsidised wheat due to limited local production. However, with storage facilities now empty, many families are unable to afford wheat from the open market. As a result, food insecurity is increasing, especially among low-income households.

The crisis has worsened due to recent flash floods and...