Crackdown on hoarding as wheat price surge triggers alarm

Sindh Minister for Food Makhdoom Mehboobuz Zaman on Tuesday warned of strict action against hoarders and elements involved in artificial price hikes, saying there was no shortage of wheat in the province.

The remarks came during a high-level meeting chaired by the minister to review the recent surge in wheat and flour prices and the overall market situation.

The session reviewed in detail wheat availability, flour prices, hoarding, and factors contributing to artificial inflation.

Addressing the meeting, the minister said the Sindh government was committed to ensuring the availability of affordable and quality flour to the public and would not tolerate profiteering or hoarding under any circumstances.

He said he had held a detailed meeting with Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, who had taken immediate notice of the situation and sought a comprehensive report on wheat stocks and availability across the province.

"There is no shortage of wheat or supply crisis in Sindh. However, certain elements are trying to create artificial price hikes and burden the public," he said.

The minister warned that strict legal action would be taken against those forcing consumers to purchase expensive flour, adding that illegally hoarded wheat would be confiscated.

He said hoarding directly affected the common man and reiterated that the government would take decisions in the public interest without any pressure.