ISLAMABAD (PEN) : The inflationary pressures in Pakistan have led to significant increases in the prices of flour in various regions. In Peshawar, the price of a 20-kilogram bag of flour has risen by Rs 200, reaching Rs 2000 per bag. Similarly, the price of an 80-kilogram bag has surged by Rs 1000, highlighting the impact of economic challenges on consumer goods.
In Islamabad, however, there have been contrasting developments aimed at providing relief to consumers. The price of a 15-kilogram flour bag has been reduced by Rs 600, now priced at Rs 1650. Additionally, a 10-kilogram bag has seen a decrease of Rs 270, now costing Rs 1200, while a 20-kilogram bag is priced at Rs 2250, down from Rs 2880.
Meanwhile, the Punjab government has taken measures to address wheat smuggling to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). Check posts have been established on major highways, and officials have been tasked with preventing unauthorized wheat transportation. This initiative comes amid reports from the Flour Mills Association stating that significant quantities of wheat are being stored in KP warehouses, where demand for three lakh tonnes of wheat has been raised by the provincial government.
The situation has sparked controversy, with sources from the Flour Mills Association criticizing the disparity in wheat prices between Punjab and KP. They highlight that while the government purchases wheat at Rs. 3,900 per maund in KP, prices in the open market of Punjab range between Rs. 2,800 to Rs. 3,000 per maund. These disparities, coupled with governmental restrictions, are viewed as exacerbating challenges for farmers and the agricultural sector overall.
