Sindh Govt, flour mills strengthen coordination for affordable flour supply

KARACHI, Jul 25 (APP): Provincial Minister for Food, Makhdoom Mehboob uz Zaman, on Friday chaired a high-level meeting with a delegation of the Flour Mills Association to review the prevailing wheat and flour situation, market prices, supply chain, and measures to ensure the uninterrupted availability of affordable flour across Sindh.

The meeting was attended by the Advisor to the Chief Minister on Rehabilitation, Chairman Chief Minister’s Inspection Team (CMIT), Commissioner Karachi, Secretary Food, and senior officials, while the Flour Mills Association delegation included Chief Patron Haji Yousif, Chairman Junaid Aziz, Vice Chairman Abid Masood, and other office-bearers.

Addressing the meeting, Provincial Minister for Food Makhdoom Mehboob uz Zaman said that ensuring affordable flour for the people of Sindh remains the government’s foremost priority.

“The welfare of the common man is our top priority. Flour prices must remain affordable, and every stakeholder must play a responsible role in providing relief to consumers,” the Minister said. He directed flour mill owners to maintain flour prices at the lowest possible level and continue ensuring uninterrupted supplies throughout the province.

The Minister informed the meeting that the Sindh Government has intensified verified and intelligence-based operations against wheat hoarders, illegal profiteers and unauthorized traders. He said the ongoing campaign has significantly improved market stability and such operations will continue with greater intensity to eliminate artificial shortages.

He stated that the Food Department currently possesses 446,947 metric tonnes of wheat stocks, comprising 140,000 metric tonnes of carry-over stock, 81,812 metric tonnes procured during the current procurement season and 225,135 metric tonnes recovered during anti-hoarding operations.

“The Government of Sindh has sufficient strategic wheat reserves to stabilize the market and protect consumers from unnecessary price increases,” the Minister said. He further informed the meeting that there is no restriction on the inter-district movement of wheat within Sindh, allowing uninterrupted transportation and smooth supply across the province.

The Minister assured the participants that if additional wheat is required to stabilize the market, Sindh will procure wheat from PASSCO to bridge any shortfall and maintain continuous flour production.

Representatives of the Flour Mills Association appreciated the cooperation extended by the Government of Sindh and informed the meeting that Sindh had generously supplied wheat to other provinces whenever required.

The Association also requested the Government to enhance the permissible wheat storage limit for flour mills from one month’s grinding capacity to two months, stating that the existing limit affects operational efficiency and market stability.

Commissioner Karachi informed the meeting that continuous coordination between the district administration and flour millers has helped stabilize flour prices in Karachi. He stated that flour is currently available across Karachi at the government-notified price, adding that wheat is being sold at approximately Rs.11,600, while flour is available at around Rs.125 per kilogram.

Secretary Food informed the meeting that a significant number of traders involved in wheat hoarding were operating without licences issued by the Sindh Food Department, and these unlicensed traders had created artificial shortages and disturbed market conditions. He emphasized that strict legal action against such elements would continue.

The Provincial Minister assured the Flour Mills Association that their reservations, including the proposal to enhance the grinding capacity limit, would be placed before the Government for appropriate consideration. The Flour Mills Association reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the uninterrupted supply of flour throughout Karachi and the rest of Sindh and assured the Government of its full cooperation in maintaining price stability.

Concluding the meeting, Makhdoom Mehboob uz Zaman reiterated that the Sindh Government would continue pursuing a zero-tolerance policy against hoarding, illegal profiteering and artificial shortages to safeguard consumers and ensure affordable flour for every household.