Lahore: The looming flour crisis in Punjab appears to have been temporarily averted after the Flour Mills Association agreed to resume supply, albeit in limited quantities. The move is expected to ease pressure on the market and reduce the artificial price hikes witnessed in recent weeks.
According to association sources, nearly 800 flour mills across Punjab will reopen from today. From this afternoon, the mills will begin supplying 10-kg and 20-kg flour bags at government-set rates, aiming to stabilize availability in local markets.
The government has announced the release of 100,000 tons of wheat per month to the mills. However, the Flour Mills Association spokesperson stressed that this allocation is insufficient to bring long-term stability. He urged the government to arrange for 2.5 million tons of wheat, both from official reserves and private stock, to be supplied to flour mills at a rate of Rs3,000 per maund.
The spokesperson further argued that wheat distribution should not be restricted to divisional headquarters districts but should instead cover all mills across Punjab. He also emphasized that the official price of government wheat should be revised to Rs3,000 per maund to protect farmers, millers, and traders from losses.
Industry representatives believe that if these measures are implemented, flour supply will stabilize, speculative price increases will subside, and consumers will finally receive some relief.
