Availability of soil moisture at seeding time influences seedling emergence and ultimately yield. Seed of wheat variety, "Punjab-81" was pre-soaked in water for 0,3,6,9 and 12h and planted at 5 and 8 cm depth at National Agricultural Research Centre, Islamabad. Seedling emergence, tillering, plant height and grain yield were significantly better in 8 cm seeding depth compared with 5 cm depth indicating that under rainfed conditions placement of seed in the deeper soil profile, where moisture is not limiting gives better emergence and yield. The increase in seedling emergence and grain yield was 15 and 10 percent, respectively, by soaking the seed for 12h before seeding. However, these differences were not significant. Interaction between seeding depth and seed pre-soaking was non- significant.