Punjab flour halt drives prices higher

PESHAWAR:

Despite repeated efforts by the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government, the supply of flour from Punjab has yet to be restored, resulting in a continued increase in flour prices across the province.

The Punjab government has imposed restrictions on the supply of wheat and flour to K-P. The provincial government has contacted both the federal and Punjab governments and the Food Department has also written letters seeking the restoration of supplies.

The K-P Assembly passed a resolution on the issue, while Chief Minister Sohail Afridi also contacted the prime minister to seek his intervention. However, despite these efforts, the restrictions on the supply of wheat and flour from Punjab remain in place.

The continued suspension of supplies has led to a steady increase in flour prices in local markets. Prices of special fine flour, fine flour and mixed flour have increased by up to Rs100 per 20kg bag.