By Commerce Reporter
LAHORE, October 1 – The Pakistan Flour Mills Association (PFMA) has sounded the alarm over a severe wheat shortfall of 1.5 million tons in Punjab, warning that flour mills across the province may be forced to shut down if the government fails to address their demands within a week.
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PFMA Chairman Riaz Ahmad Khan and Group Leader Asim Raza, speaking at a joint press conference, accused the government of mishandling the wheat procurement process despite a bumper harvest.
“Farmers were not paid a fair price for their crop, and flour mills purchased wheat at an average of Rs4,200 per 40kg. Today, every flour mill in Punjab is facing losses ranging from Rs60 to Rs70 million,” said Riaz Ahmad Khan.
The association strongly criticized the government for deploying PARA force officials at flour mills and imposing heavy fines, calling the measures “unjustified and counterproductive.”
“The government had promised there would be no restrictions on wheat transportation, but barriers remain in place. With wheat costing Rs3,400 per maund, it is impossible to sell flour at Rs1,800 per bag,” Asim Raza noted.
The PFMA leadership gave the Punjab government one week to withdraw penalties and remove PARA force personnel from mills, warning that otherwise, mills will shut down operations.
“If our demands are ignored, we will be left with no choice but to take legal action or close mills across the province,” Asim Raza warned.
Analysts fear that if the standoff continues, it could trigger a fresh flour crisis in Punjab, leading to shortages and price hikes for consumers already battling inflation.
