Flood disruptions spark food shortages in twin cities

RAWALPINDI:

Food supply shortages have emerged in Rawalpindi and Islamabad following floods in Punjab, disrupting the flow of essential items from wholesale markets.

Chicken, beef, mutton, pulses, sugar, and milk have all seen reduced supplies, triggering a sharp rise in prices.

Rawalpindi has no agricultural market or sugar mills of its own and depends heavily on Punjab districts such as Sargodha, Bhakkar, Faisalabad, and Khushab for chicken, meat, sugar, and milk.

Floods have slashed supplies by more than 50 per cent, forcing chicken prices up to Rs750 per kg, while sugar has surged to Rs200 per kg.

Pulses have risen by Rs15-20 per kg, and beef and mutton by Rs30-50 per kg.

Daily milk supplies from Punjab have also been curtailed. Local poultry dealers warned that if supply does not resume within two days, chicken prices will skyrocket further.

Salim Pervez Butt, president of the Kiryana Merchants Association, said the twin cities lack a wholesale grocery market and rely on Faisalabad and Lahore.

"With road closures, supplies should either be rerouted through trains or flown in by air cargo. Otherwise, a severe crisis will hit, and items will become unaffordable for the public," he warned, urging emergency measures to ensure supply continuity.