Flour Crisis Worsens in Balochistan as Prices Soar; 20kg Bag Reaches Rs2,500, Says PkMAP

Quetta: The Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) has expressed serious concern over an artificial wheat shortage and a sharp rise in flour prices in Quetta and surrounding districts, blaming government negligence for pushing the public toward hunger.

In a joint statement, PkMAP Provincial President Abdul Qahar Khan Wadan, Senior Vice President Syed Sharaf Agha, Vice Presidents Majid Khan Achakzai and Waranga Loni, Provincial General Secretary Kabir Afghan, and other provincial executives said that due to the incompetence, failure, and inexperience of the provincial government, poor citizens are now forced to buy a 20-kilogram bag of flour for Rs2,500.

The party held the provincial government and the Food Department responsible for the wheat shortage, stating that timely and effective measures could have prevented the crisis. The statement said that government apathy and mismanagement by the Food Department have compounded inflation, forcing people—already struggling with unemployment and rising prices—into near-starvation, as many can no longer afford flour at such high rates.

According to the statement, the situation has deteriorated to the extent that flour is completely unavailable in remote areas and villages of several districts. Residents of Quetta, Pishin, Chaman, Qila Abdullah, Harnai, Sibi, Ziarat, Loralai, Dukki, Musa Khail, Qila Saifullah, Zhob, Sherani, Barkhan, Kohlu, and other districts are reportedly purchasing flour at exorbitant prices.

PkMAP said the price of a 20kg bag has reached Rs2,500, a 50kg bag Rs7,000, while a 100kg bag has exceeded Rs12,000, indicating the severity of the crisis. The party also accused hoarders of further fueling inflation.

The statement demanded immediate steps to control the wheat crisis, reduce flour prices, and ensure emergency supply across all areas. It also called for transparent investigations and strict action against those responsible for creating an artificial shortage, as well as officials guilty of mismanagement and negligence.