PESHAWAR – The Pakistan Flour Mills Association (PFMA) warns that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa faces a catastrophic flour shortage during Ramadan if Punjab does not lift its supply ban immediately. Provincial Chairman Naeem Butt states that Punjab has enforced an illegal restriction on wheat and flour movement since August last year. This blockade continues to drive prices upward across the province.
Currently, a 20kg bag of flour costs 3,000 PKR. Naeem Butt fears that if the Punjab government maintains this policy, the price will surge to 4,000 PKR by the start of Ramadan. He emphasizes that Punjab produces 75% of Pakistan’s wheat, making the province’s supply essential for regional stability.
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The PFMA Chairman levels serious allegations against the management of provincial borders. He claims that officials at Punjab’s checkpoints collect extortion money from transport vehicles. This “bhatta” or illegal tax forces dealers to pass the costs onto consumers. Consequently, the 20kg bag now retails at a record high of 3,000 PKR in local markets.
Naeem Butt describes these restrictions as the “economic murder” of the public. He officially calls upon the Prime Minister and the Chief Ministers of both Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to take immediate notice. He demands the removal of all barriers to ensure the free movement of basic food items.
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KP Mills Shut After Wheat Supply Halted
The crisis is further complicated by internal supply issues within Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The PFMA Chairman reports that the KP Food Department has not yet released wheat stocks to local mills. This lack of raw material is forcing many flour mills to shut down operations entirely.
These closures are leading to widespread unemployment for mill workers. Industry leaders warn that the combination of Punjab’s blockade and the KP Food Department’s delay creates a perfect storm. Without urgent intervention, the province will face a severe and historic flour famine in the coming weeks.
Supply Blockades Paralyze Peshawar Markets
The ongoing blockade has already paralyzed major trade hubs. In Peshawar, the grain markets stand nearly empty as Punjab officials intercept trucks at motorway toll plazas and provincial arteries. New staff at these points now enforce a zero-tolerance policy, replacing the previous system where bribes allowed limited supply to pass.
The PFMA reiterates that the government must act now to prevent the 20kg flour bag from reaching the predicted 4,000 PKR mark. Ensuring timely wheat procurement from PASCO and lifting inter-provincial bans are the only ways to stabilize the market before the holy month of Ramadan begins.
