Over 200 Flour Mills Shut Down in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Uzma Bukhari Urges CM to Resume Operations Instead of Protesting

*LAHORE:* Punjab’s Minister for Information **Uzma Bukhari** has advised the **Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP)** to focus on reopening the province’s **over 200 closed flour mills** instead of holding protests, emphasizing that doing so would ensure flour availability for KP’s citizens.

In a statement, Bukhari said, *“Our foremost responsibility is to the people of Punjab. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has ensured the availability of flour at affordable prices for every citizen — a people-centric approach that some quarters find hard to accept.”*

She firmly denied claims that **Punjab has imposed any restrictions on flour supply**, calling the allegations “baseless and contrary to facts.” She clarified that flour shipments from Punjab are being carried out **transparently under a permit system**.

Bukhari added that if **Khyber Pakhtunkhwa requires more flour** than what it receives from Punjab, its government should **release its own wheat reserves** or **procure wheat from other sources**.

“Punjab cannot sacrifice the rights of its own people for another province’s political theatrics,” she said, referring to KP’s recent demonstrations.

Highlighting the closure of more than **200 flour mills in KP**, Bukhari remarked, *“Instead of protesting outside Adiala Jail, the KP Chief Minister should prioritize restarting these mills so that his province’s people can have access to flour.”*