Govt-millers’ standoff to hit flour supply

At least six flour mills sealed over profiteering

KARACHI:

Karachi and the rest of the province is on the verge of the flour crisis spiraling out of control due to a standoff between the provincial government and flour millers. At least six flour mills were sealed in Sindh following instructions from Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah to crack down on millers selling flour above the government mandated retail price.

Flour mills have increased government flour rates from Rs105 to Rs130 per kg. The Pakistan Flour Mills Association have since announced the suspension of activities in Sindh, saying that work had been stopped at 78 flour mills. Around 20 flour mills were still operational in the city.

Officers and assistant commissioners of relevant divisions raided various flour mills in Karachi and in Shaheed Benazirabad region, sealing six of them. Sindh Chief Secretary Sohail Rajput said that four mills were sealed in the Landhi and Korangi districts of Karachi. He said they would face legal action for profiteering. Two flour mills were sealed in Shaheed Benazirabad.

Rajput said that the food department would take further action, which could include the cancellation of licenses of the flour mills. The food department, which supplies wheat to millers, said that action would be taken against millers who do not sell flour at the government price. In response, the millers have shut down supply and laid down their demands for the resumption of flour production in Karachi.