Flour restrictions risk humanitarian crisis in K-P

With the supply of flour halted from Punjab, locals in the province are deprived of the fundamental commodity

PESHAWAR:

Due to emerging differences between the federal and provincial governments, the local people of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) are forced to buy flour at exorbitant prices. With the supply of wheat and flour from Punjab to K-P halted since the past three weeks, flour mills in the province are on the brink of collapse.

Just a few days ago, a 20-kilogram flour bag in K-P was available for Rs1,400, however, within a week, the price rose to Rs2,100, and this week it has further soared to Rs2,900. Meanwhile, the price of white flour has increased from Rs1,800 to as high as Rs3,200 for a 20-kilogram bag.

Even as the flour crisis intensifies in the province, the K-P government, instead of addressing this crucial issue, remains occupied with their internal political matters. The provincial food minister has done nothing beyond issuing statements hence no concrete steps have been taken to resolve the wheat crisis or to implement an alternative strategy.

Rehan Afridi, a resident of Jamrud district who runs a clothing business in Peshawar's Firdous Market, came to the flour market to buy flour. Last month, he bought two 20-kg flour bags for Rs3,000. However, this week, one shop was selling them for Rs5,400 and another for Rs5,600.

Rehan told The Express Tribune that he was shocked to see the sudden surge in prices. "Flour and ghee are essential items in our monthly budget. Their prices doubling has completely disturbed the budget of middle-income households. If the government can't even provide cheap flour, what other relief can we expect?" bemoaned Rehan.

Nabi Jan, a Suzuki driver from Peshawar's outskirts in Chamakni shared similar grievances. "It is extremely sad that warehouses in both rural and urban markets are full of flour. The government could buy from these at a profit margin and help the poor, but both the district administration and food department are silent," criticized Jan.

According to information received by The Express Tribune, due to rising flour prices and shortages, traders have hinted at a province-wide strike if the price of bread (roti) is not allowed to increase; a move that will worsen the public's hardships.

Naeem Butt, Chairman of the Pakistan Flour Mills Association K-P, opined that the unconstitutional restrictions on wheat and flour movement from Punjab were very concerning since 90 per cent of the flour industry in K-P had shut down.

"Because of Punjab's restrictions, prices of flour, refined flour (maida), and other products are increasing daily. The price of a 20-kg flour bag, which was Rs1,600 before August 25, has now risen to Rs3,000. K-P's total wheat requirement is 5.3 million metric tonnes, but the province produces only 1.2 million metric tonnes," said Butt.

Junaid Altaf, President of the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, also expressed serious concern over the ongoing wheat crisis in the province. "The fragile flour industry is being pushed to the edge of destruction. The higher civilian and military authorities must intervene and lift the ban on wheat and flour transportation from Punjab to K-P to save the province from a humanitarian and economic crisis," urged Altaf.

When The Express Tribune asked flour dealer Kifayat Khan in Peshawar about the sudden price hike, he explained, "It's been almost a month, and not a single bag of flour is allowed to cross over from Attock Bridge. In Punjab, a 20-kg bag costs Rs1,800 but in K-P it's being sold for Rs3,000."

Former provincial finance minister Taimur Jhagra claimed in a press conference in Peshawar that the federal government was not releasing the NFC Award arrears and FATA's annual special package to K-P. "Politics aside, basic public needs must never be ignored in such matters," asserted Jhagra.