“Government Responsible for Economic and Food Crisis in Balochistan” – Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party

QUETTA – The Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PMAP) has expressed deep concern over the alarming increase in flour prices and shortages across various districts of Balochistan, holding the provincial government responsible for the economic and food crisis gripping the province.

In a press release issued by the party’s provincial secretariat, PMAP warned that the impacts of inflation, food insecurity, and the agricultural sector crisis could become even more severe. The federal and provincial governments were urged to take practical steps to resolve the wheat and flour crisis, emphasizing that providing affordable flour to the public and fair prices to farmers is the government’s fundamental responsibility.

The statement highlighted that farmers in Balochistan are already burdened by rising costs of expensive fertilizers, seeds, agricultural medicines, diesel, electricity, water, and other farming inputs. Due to restrictions on fertilizer, farmers are being forced to purchase it at exorbitant black-market rates. If local farmers continue to be denied profitable prices for their wheat crops, it will directly impact the province’s agricultural economy and future wheat production, the party warned.

PMAP also pointed out that persistent law and order issues have led to frequent closures of major highways and roads across the province, severely disrupting the supply of wheat, flour, and other essential commodities. The additional transport costs and supply chain bottlenecks are ultimately passed on to the poor consumer.

The party expressed regret over the federal government’s decision to import wheat at a time when farmers in Balochistan and other provinces are ready to bring their harvest to market. “Approving wheat imports at this stage amounts to the economic murder of local farmers,” the statement said.

PMAP demanded emergency measures to resolve the flour crisis and ensure the availability of flour in Quetta and all districts of the province. It called for strict action against hoarders, profiteers, and those making unjust gains from artificial price hikes. Additionally, the party urged the government to ensure the provision of electricity, water, fertilizer, seeds, agricultural medicines, and other basic facilities to farmers, and to remove all restrictions and obstacles – including the ban on fertilizer.