Punjab supply eases K-P flour crisis

The resumption of wheat flour supplies from Punjab to Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) has brought immediate relief to consumers, with prices of staple flour bags falling by up to Rs300 across the province.

Market sources confirmed that a 20-kilogram bag of mixed flour, which had touched Rs2,700 last week, is now available at Rs2,500, while fine flour has dropped from Rs2,850 to Rs2,650. Similarly, the price of an 80-kg sack has declined by Rs300. Traders and consumers expect further reductions as regular supply is restored.

The development comes after weeks of spiraling prices triggered by Punjab's restrictions on wheat and flour transport to K-P. The issue sparked strong protests in the K-P Assembly, which unanimously passed a resolution condemning the ban and urging the federal government to intervene.

Provincial Food Minister Zahir Shah Toru confirmed that following negotiations, the Punjab government has assured a daily supply of 50,000 metric tons of flour to K-P. He said this would not only stabilize the market but also restore consumer confidence.

"The government is committed to ensuring uninterrupted supply of flour. Under Article 151 of the Constitution, inter-provincial movement of food commodities cannot be restricted, and we have made it clear that K-P will not tolerate any artificial barriers," Toru told reporters.

Only last week, the sudden shortage had pushed prices to record highs. In Peshawar, a 20-kg fine flour bag had surged to Rs2,750 in a single day, while mixed flour touched Rs2,600. The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) reported that Peshawar and Bannu recorded the highest flour prices in the country, with some households paying up to Rs150 per kilogram.

The spike forced bakers to reduce the weight of naan bread to 80 grams and cut the size of packaged double bread loaves to as little as 120 grams. Residents complained that profiteering went unchecked while authorities failed to act swiftly.

To address the crisis, a high-level meeting chaired by Minister Toru at the Commissioner's Office in Mardan reviewed supply and pricing. Commissioner Nisar Ahmed briefed that wheat stocks in both the open market and government warehouses remained sufficient, but admitted hoarding and speculative practices had worsened the crisis. Deputy commissioners of Mardan and Swabi were directed to crack down on profiteers.

Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur, meanwhile, has taken up the matter with the federal and Punjab governments. Provincial officials stress that sustained cooperation with Punjab will be key to ensuring price stability in coming weeks.