Bread makers push for rate hike

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RAWALPINDI:

The Pakistan Naanbai Association and the tandoor bodies of the twin cities Rawalpindi and Islamabad have issued a one-week notice to the government and Deputy Commissioners regarding the steep increase in prices of flour, fine flour, and commercial gas cylinders, demanding a rise in the prices of bread, naan, and paratha.

A joint convention of naanbai bodies from Islamabad and all districts of Punjab has been called in Rawalpindi after Eidul Azha. During this convention, a decision will be made either to officially announce the new prices of bread and naan or to launch a complete strike and protest.

Shafeeq Abbasi, the central president of the association, says a sack of red flour costs Rs6,000 from the mills to the tandoor, while fine flour is being sold at Rs7,200 per sack. Within a week, the price of regular flour has increased by Rs500 and fine flour by Rs600 - a trend that continues to rise, he adds.

"Despite the extreme heat, no tandoor has access to Sui gas. Every tandoor operator is forced to buy commercial gas cylinders for Rs14,000 each to operate.

Sui gas and LNG supplies are completely shut off. Electricity prices have also increased, while rental costs for tandoors and labour wages have gone up."

Additionally, the prices of ghee, oil, and dry milk have surged, he says and adds under these conditions it is impossible for them to sell affordable bread.

Abbasi demanded the government fix new, increased prices for bread; otherwise, after Eid, the All Punjab Tandoor Owners Convention will decide on strict measures.