PESHAWAR: Citizens in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) have been facing a shortage of flour for some time now, which has resulted in rising prices of the basic food commodity. However, Punjab has pledged to provide KP with a daily supply of 3000 metric tons of wheat, according to a recent announcement made after a meeting between officials from both provinces.
During the meeting, the shortage of wheat and flour in KP and its impact on its prices in the market were discussed. The Secretary Food revealed that he had held discussions with his Punjab counterpart, who agreed to issue a permit for the release of 3,000 metric tons of wheat to KP during May.
To control the rising prices of flour and dispel rumors of a shortage of wheat in the market, KP government will provide 3,000 metric tons of wheat to flour mills at the same price stipulated by the Punjab government until the completion of the procurement process in May.
It is a welcome relief for the citizens of KP, where the price of bread has doubled, with a 120-gram bread costing Rs30. Despite the hike, the district administration has not yet allowed increase in prices, and the market in Peshawar has only 80-kilogram wheat flour bags that are being sold at a higher price due to the shortage of wheat.
Local bakers have reported that when the price of a 120-gram bread loaf was fixed at Rs15, a sack of 80 kilograms of flour cost Rs8,600. Over the time, the price of flour has increased substantially, reaching Rs15,000 presently, which is double the initial cost. Consequently, the price of bread has also doubled. Negotiations with the district administration to increase the weight of bread loaves have failed, leading the bakers to increase the price themselves.
The move by Punjab is expected to ease the shortage of wheat in KP and bring relief to consumers facing higher prices due to the scarcity of flour.
