PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has issued an urgent letter to the federal government, warning of a severe wheat crisis and a potential spike in flour prices across the province due to supply disruptions.
In its official communication, the provincial administration requested immediate federal intervention to ensure the uninterrupted supply of wheat and flour. The KP government highlighted that because the province is not self-sufficient in wheat production, it relies heavily on neighboring Punjab to meet its food security needs.
Unnecessary Checkpoints Threaten to Hike Flour Prices
According to the provincial government, prolonged delays in transit and unnecessary checking at inter-provincial borders have effectively suspended the supply chain. Authorities warned that if these artificial barriers persist, the market price of a 40 kg flour bag could surge by up to Rs 4,400.
The KP government stated that its provincial cabinet has already approved the procurement of 225,000 metric tons of wheat to stabilize local reserves. However, administrative hurdles on supply routes are actively undermining these efforts.
Violation of Article 151 of the Constitution
The letter formally urged the federal government to enforce Article 151 of the Constitution of Pakistan, which guarantees free inter-provincial trade throughout the country.
The KP administration emphasized that removing unauthorized checkpoints and streamlining transit routes is critical to preventing a full-blown food security issue. Without immediate regulatory relief from Islamabad, the market could face acute shortages, forcing low-income families to bear the brunt of skyrocketing flour prices.
