A dispute has erupted between Quetta's district administration and local bakers over a recent decision to reduce the price of Naan and Roti. The District Price Control Committee announced a Rs10 reduction, bringing the price of a standard roti to Rs30.
However, naan makers (bakers) across the city have refused to comply with the new price, resulting in the arrest of more than 150 bakers.
In response, the district administration has sealed over 100 tandoors and arrested 168 naan makers for failing to adhere to the official price list. The crackdown was carried out under the leadership of Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Mohammad Anwar Kakar.
The decision to lower the naan price was made during a meeting of the District Price Control Committee on April 21, where it was agreed that the price of a 360-gram roti would be reduced to Rs30 following a decline in flour prices.
ADC Quetta Mohammad Anwar Kakar explained that when flour prices rise, bakers immediately raise bread prices, but when flour prices fall, the public is not given any relief.
He added that the administration received complaints from citizens regarding bakers' refusal to implement the government price list, which prompted the crackdown.
According to a statement from the Deputy Commissioner's office, action was taken in various areas of the city, including the city center, Saddar, Kuchlak, and Saryab. Assistant Commissioners and Magistrates sealed 107 tandoors and arrested 168 naan makers during the operation.
An official from the district administration revealed that 92 bakers were sent to jail for one month, while the others were released after paying fines and issuing apology letters. The administration has also released videos on social media showing the arrested bakers apologizing for their actions.
The Quetta Statistics Department reported that in recent months, the price of a 20-kilogram flour sack has dropped by up to Rs300, now selling between Rs1600 to Rs1700.
Meanwhile, the Bakers’ Association of Quetta has rejected the new price order, threatening to close all tandoors in the city if the decision is not revised by Tuesday.
Association leaders Reza Khan and Mohammad Naeem Khilji addressed a press conference, arguing that the cost of bread depends not only on the price of flour but also on factors such as gas, electricity, shop rent, and labor wages.
They also expressed concerns that the price cut, combined with an increase in the weight of the roti from 320 grams to 360 grams, would lead to significant losses for the bakers.
The association also pointed out that bakers were not consulted during the decision-making process and demanded that the price of bread be aligned with those in larger cities like Karachi and Lahore.
According to the association, over 1,800 tandoors operate in Quetta, and the district administration has already sealed 380 of them. If the arrested bakers are not released and the price list is not amended, they warned, all tandoors in the city will be locked in protest.
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