SYED SHAHABUDDIN
SWAT: T0he destruction caused by recent floods combined with government inaction has led to a sharp increase in flour prices and just within two weeks, the price of a 20-kilogram bag of flour has risen by Rs. 1,100. With rising prices in Punjab and restrictions on the transportation of wheat and flour into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the province is now facing a severe flour shortage.
According to sources, after the Punjab government fixed the price of a 40-kilogram sack of wheat at Rs. 3,000, large-scale hoarding began, the effects of which are now being felt in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Wheat transported from Punjab is currently being sold at Rs. 10,250 per 100-kg bag in KP, causing flour prices to surge further.
A flour dealer in Swat said that just two weeks ago, a 20-kg bag of flour was available for Rs. 1,400, but the price has now reached Rs. 2,500. In retail markets, it is being sold for as high as Rs. 2,600.
Figures show that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa currently has more than 300 flour mills, of which 50 percent have shut down. Out of 17 flour mills in Swat, only 6 remain operational. If restrictions on wheat imports continue, the remaining mills may also be forced to close.
According to sources in the Food Department, the provincial government presently holds 280,000 metric tons of wheat in stock, while around 7,000 metric tons are stored in government warehouses in Swat. However, despite this, the government has not restored the official wheat quota for the last two years, which experts fear could trigger an even bigger wave of inflation.
Experts estimate that Swat requires 913 metric tons of flour daily, 70 percent of which is imported from Punjab. Bringing in wheat or flour illegally costs large sums of money, which could push prices even higher. If the crisis continues, more flour mills could shut down, forcing flour dealers out of business.
Sources also revealed that flour dealers across the province, including Swat, have made millions and even billions of rupees due to the price hikes.
Yet, fears of hoarding persist, while neither the government nor the administration has taken any action. Citizens have strongly criticized this inaction and questioned why Federal Minister Amir Muqam and the provincial government have failed to raise the issue with Punjab.
