Flour price skyrockets in twin cities
A worker puts wheat in a machine to make flour at a shop in a Karachi neighbourhood. Photo: Jalal Qureshi/express
Additionally, prices are expected to rise further from July 1, raising concerns among consumers. Flour mills have ceased taking orders for supply immediately after July 1, pending confirmation. New prices will be determined on June 30 or July 1.
The All Pakistan Naanbai Association has voiced its concern over the recent surge in flour prices, calling on the Punjab government and district administration to reduce them immediately. The association warned that if prices are not reduced by July 1, they would be compelled to take drastic measures, including increasing the prices of roti and naan, halting the sale of patiri roti (red flour bread), or initiating an indefinite shutter-down strike.
"We will not tolerate the any more," the association asserted.
All Pakistan Naanbai Association President Shafiq Qureshi lamented that reducing the price of bread cannot be achieved through coercion. He urged the government and district administration to take concrete steps to lower the costs of essential inputs such as flour, gas, and electricity.
He reminded the government of its unfulfilled promises to reduce bread prices, emphasising the dire situation faced by tandoor operators. "We're currently making bread on commercial gas cylinders as the supply of gas for all ovens is off," Qureshi stated.
He highlighted the exorbitant costs of commercial gas cylinders, priced at Rs13,500, and electricity, which he described as being "priced like gold." Qureshi argued that it is impossible for tandoors to sell bread at low prices when burdened with high costs for flour, gas, electricity, hotel rent, and oven rent. He criticised the government's lack of attention to the rising rates of fine flour and all-purpose flour.
Qureshi called on the government to control these rates, warning that failure to do so would force them to raise bread prices.
He demanded that the district administration and Punjab government issue a flour notification, threatening that oven owners would otherwise be compelled to shut down their operations.