The Punjab Flour Mills Association has declared an indefinite strike from today, disrupting the supply of flour to the market from February 14th.
The strike is a response to the suspension of wheat quotas for over 100 flour mills by the Punjab Food Department.
The ongoing differences between the Flour Mills Association and the Food Department have reached a boiling point following the government’s decision to suspend the quotas.
The Chairman of the Punjab Flour Mills Association released a statement announcing that the flour mills will no longer receive wheat from the government quota, resulting in the discontinuation of the provision of affordable flour to the market.
He also requested the Food Department to provide evidence for any alleged malpractice within the association.
Prior to this development, the open market price of wheat in Punjab experienced a significant decrease of Rs1,200 per maund, due to the increased wheat quota and import. Market dealers report that the price dropped from Rs5,200 per maund to Rs4,000 per maund.
As a result of a decrease of Rs1,200 per maund, the price of wheat per kilogramme in the open market has fallen to Rs100 from its previous rate of Rs130 per kg, according to ARY News.
