The Flour Mills Association implores the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to resolve the wheat deficit.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chapter of the Pakistan Flour Mills Association has implored Chief Minister Sohail Afridi to promptly address the escalating wheat shortage in the province, cautioning that this predicament is leading to a continuous increase in flour prices and exacerbating hardships for the populace.

The Chairman of the association, Muhammad Naeem Butt, stated that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is presently experiencing a significant wheat deficiency, which is adversely impacting flour production and availability in local markets.

The diminished availability of wheat has caused a decrease in flour supply, leading to daily price escalations and imposing an extra financial strain on customers.

He stated that KP is a wheat-deficient province that primarily depends on supply from other provinces, especially Punjab, to fulfil its requirements.

The new wheat crop in Punjab has resulted in an ample supply and reduced costs, presenting a significant opportunity for KP to acquire economical wheat and alleviate the burden on its populace.

He observed that transportation obstacles at multiple checkpoints are impeding the flow of wheat into the province, interrupting the supply chain and causing delays for transporters.

He stated that these challenges are hindering flour mills’ capacity to sustain consistent production and complicating the provincial food department’s efforts to bolster its strategic wheat stockpiles.

Muhammad Naeem Butt cautioned that further delays in wheat transportation may exacerbate the flour supply crisis and elevate prices in the forthcoming days.

He urged the province administration to develop a comprehensive strategy to guarantee the prompt acquisition and efficient transportation of wheat, thereby stabilising flour costs and delivering urgent assistance to the population.

He stated that immediate and effective actions will assist in regulating market pricing, ensuring a continuous flour supply, and averting the escalation of the problem.