Punjab Will Not Sacrifice Its People’s Rights for Another Province’s Political Drama: Uzma Bukhari

Lahore: Punjab Information Minister Uzma Bukhari has clarified that the province has not imposed any restriction on the supply of flour, rejecting such allegations as baseless. She stated that the transportation of flour from Punjab is being carried out transparently under a permit system, adding that *“Punjab will not sacrifice the rights of its people for the political dramas of any other province.”*

In her statement, Bukhari emphasized that Punjab’s foremost responsibility is to its own citizens. She said Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has ensured the availability of flour at affordable prices for every household, a people-friendly governance model that others find difficult to digest.

“If Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s demand for flour exceeds what it receives from Punjab, it should release its own stored wheat or procure supplies from PASSCO,” she suggested.

The minister further said that over 200 flour mills in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are currently non-operational. “Instead of protesting outside Adiala Jail, the KP Chief Minister should focus on running the province’s flour mills so that his people can have access to flour,” she advised.

Bukhari explained that the Punjab government purchases and stores wheat using taxpayers’ money to prevent flour prices from rising. The province currently holds a safe stock of **885,000 metric tons of wheat**, valued at approximately **Rs 100 billion**, which reflects the foresight and organized planning of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.

She added that there is no ban on inter-provincial transport of wheat or flour; however, under **Article 18 of the Constitution** and relevant laws, permits and digital tracking have been made mandatory to curb hoarding and profiteering.

To ensure affordability, the Punjab government is providing wheat to flour mills at **Rs 3,000 per maund**, ensuring steady supply and price stability in the market.