Twin cities face bread crisis

Bread makers announce indefinite strike over flour price hike

RAWALPINDI:

All Pakistan Naanbai Association, the representative body of bread makers, has announced to go on an indefinite strike in response to the persistent increase in the prices of wheat flour, all-purpose flour and fine flour, along with the challans and arrests of Naanbais.

The strike, which began at noon on Friday, has caused significant difficulties for citizens in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, who faced severe problems accessing bread (roti) during the afternoon and evening. As the strike started, the association's leadership went into hiding to avoid arrests and raids.

The association has threatened to expand the strike to the Rawalpindi Division and Punjab if their price increase demands are unmet. A joint meeting of Naanbai associations from other districts in the Rawalpindi division, including Attock, Chakwal, Talagang, Jhelum, and Murree, has been scheduled for Saturday (today). In the meeting, the scope of the shutter-down strike is expected to be extended.

The association has announced that it will no longer engage in negotiations with the district administration. This decision comes after a previous experience of the last month, where association leaders were arrested by the authorities after being called in for talks.

Pakistan Naanbai Association Central President Shafiq Qureshi expressed his concerns over the continuous increase in the prices of flour, and fine flour in the last three months. He highlighted that the price of flour has risen by Rs1,500 per sack since July 1. He criticised the district administration and the government for succumbing to the demands of the flour mills association, allowing them to increase the price of flour.

He emphasised that the association could not buy expensive flour and sell cheap bread. He demanded that the price of flour be reduced or a notification be issued to increase the price of bread.

The price of red wheat flour has skyrocketed, with a 79kg bag now costing Rs9,500, while a bag of fine flour has reached Rs10,500. This represents a significant increase from July 5, when a sack of red flour was Rs6,800 and a sack of fine flour was Rs7,500. “How can we sell cheap bread after this increase?” Qureshi questioned.

In response to this situation, the association has announced an indefinite strike, with a complete oven strike planned for Rawalpindi Division and Islamabad on Saturday (today).