Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz has expressed anger over an increase in flour prices across the province.
The Punjab CM called an emergency video-link meeting and ordered that cheap flour and wheat be provided to the people of the province at all costs. The provincial government also decided to increase the official wheat quota for flour mills, raising the supply of wheat to mills at the rate of Rs 3,800 per maund. Maryam Nawaz approved a Rs 10 billion subsidy for affordable flour in the province.

The Punjab CM expressed serious concern over the trend of artificial price hikes in flour and wheat, stating that the burden of inflation on the people of Punjab is extremely painful. She emphasized that all available resources will be utilized for the transportation of subsidized flour. She added that the provision of affordable flour and roti will continue. Earlier, flour prices have risen sharply across Pakistan, with the price of a 20-kilogram (Kg) bag increasing by as much as Rs.400 in a week, according to a report. According to a report, the price of a 20kg bag has reached Rs.3,400 in provincial capital cities, Karachi, Peshawar, and the capital Islamabad.

In Rawalpindi, the price rose by Rs.347 to Rs.3,333, while in Sialkot it increased by Rs.333 to Rs.3,133. In Multan, the price rose by Rs.66 to Rs.2,866. However, flour prices remained unchanged in Lahore, where a 20kg bag continued to sell for Rs2,300. In Faisalabad, the price also remained stable at Rs2,200. In Sukkur, a 20kg bag became Rs.300 more expensive and is being sold at Rs.3,060. Prices in Hyderabad rose by Rs.200 to Rs.3,200. In the capital city of Balochistan, Quetta recorded an increase of Rs.70, taking the price to Rs.3,030.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)