PFMA calls off strike after talks with govt

Govt accepted PFMA demand to de-seal flour mills, allow wheat transportation

KARACHI:

The Pakistan Flour Mills Association (PFMA), on Friday, announced the end of its two-day strike after conducting successful negotiations with the government, averting the threat of a possible flour crisis.

PFMA Sindh Region Chairman Chaudhry Amir along with other officials held a three-hour long discussion with Provincial Food Minister, Mukesh Kumar Chawla, on Friday in which the Sindh government decided to de-seal the flour mills previously sealed in different parts of Sindh.

The chairman of the association said that the food minister has assured that the flour mills will be provided the fixed monthly quota of wheat and that transportation of wheat from interior Sindh to Karachi will be permitted. Upon these conditions, the association announced a resumption in production activities and also committed to providing flour at a reasonable price to the public.

Earlier, 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.

On Thursday, PFMA Sindh Chairman Chaudhry Amir said that the food department had sealed the mills under false pretext.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 4^th, 2023.

Like Business on Facebook, follow @TribuneBiz on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.