Failure to Reduce Flour Prices and Ban on Supply from Sindh, Punjab Is the Height of Cruelty to the Poor: Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party

QUETTA (Daily Qudrat) – In a provincial press release by the Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party, expressing deep regret and concern over the failure to reduce flour prices and the non-supply of flour to Balochistan from Punjab and Sindh, it was said that the continuous increase in flour prices and the statement by flour mills that they will not reduce flour prices further is extremely regrettable. On one hand, the poor public is crushed under the burden of inflation, while on the other hand, the imposed Form 47 government and the Food Department appear completely insincere in providing relief to the people.

The statement said that imposing a ban on bringing wheat to Balochistan from Punjab is regrettable. Similarly, due to difficulties in the supply of wheat from Sindh, wheat prices have also increased, which is directly affecting flour prices. Due to the government’s failure to provide cheap wheat to flour mills, the shortage of wheat in the market, and the lack of reserves, flour prices are not decreasing. Currently, flour rates in the market are moving beyond the purchasing power of the public. A 20 kg bag of flour has reached approximately Rs3,000, a 50 kg bag approximately Rs7,500, while a 100 kg sack of flour has reached approximately Rs15,000. These price increases have made it difficult, especially for the poor and middle class, to obtain two meals a day.

The statement said that the government should immediately remove all obstacles in the supply of wheat and start direct supply of flour instead of wheat to Balochistan from Punjab and Sindh, so that the public can get immediate relief. The government should provide wheat to flour mills at appropriate rates and ensure that cheap flour truly reaches the poor. Because the public is already suffering from severe inflation, unemployment, and economic difficulties, and in such a situation, the continuous increase in the prices of basic food items is unacceptable in any way.

The statement demanded that flour prices be reduced immediately, unhindered supply of flour from Punjab and Sindh to Balochistan be ensured, and cheap and quality flour be provided to the poor at fixed government rates. It is the government’s responsibility to provide relief to the people amid road closures, unrest, and looting.