By Zahid Karani
KARACHI: The Sindh government and flour mill representatives have agreed to strengthen coordination to ensure the uninterrupted supply of affordable flour across the province, with the provincial food minister stressing that providing relief to consumers remains the government’s top priority.
Sindh Food Minister Makhdoom Mehboob uz Zaman chaired a high-level meeting with a delegation of the Flour Mills Association to review the wheat and flour situation, market prices, supply chain management and measures to maintain stable flour supplies.
The meeting was attended by the Advisor to the Sindh Chief Minister on Rehabilitation, Chairman Chief Minister’s Inspection Team (CMIT), Commissioner Karachi Division, Secretary Food and senior government officials. The Flour Mills Association delegation included Chief Patron Haji Yousif, Chairman Junaid Aziz, Vice Chairman Abid Masood and other office-bearers.
Addressing the meeting, Makhdoom Mehboob uz Zaman said ensuring affordable flour for every household in Sindh was the government’s foremost priority.
“The welfare of ordinary citizens is our top concern. Flour prices must remain affordable, and all stakeholders must play their role in providing relief to consumers,” he said.
The minister directed flour mill owners to keep prices at the lowest possible level and ensure continuous supply throughout the province.
He said the Sindh government had intensified intelligence-based operations against wheat hoarders, illegal profiteers and unauthorised traders, adding that the campaign had helped improve market stability and would continue with greater force to prevent artificial shortages.
The minister informed the meeting that the Food Department currently held 446,947 metric tonnes of wheat reserves, including 140,000 metric tonnes of carry-over stock, 81,812 metric tonnes procured during the current season and 225,135 metric tonnes recovered during anti-hoarding operations.
He said the available wheat reserves were sufficient to stabilise the market and protect consumers from unnecessary price increases.
Makhdoom Mehboob uz Zaman added that there were no restrictions on the movement of wheat between districts within Sindh, allowing smooth transportation and uninterrupted supply. He assured that if additional wheat was required, the provincial government would procure supplies from PASSCO to maintain flour production.
Representatives of the Flour Mills Association appreciated the cooperation of the Sindh government and said the province had previously supplied wheat to other provinces whenever needed.
However, they expressed concerns that some provinces had not allowed wheat movement into Sindh, which had contributed to higher wheat prices and increased pressure on flour rates.
The association also requested an increase in the permissible wheat storage limit for flour mills from one month’s grinding capacity to two months, saying the current limit affected operational efficiency and market stability.
Commissioner Karachi informed the meeting that close coordination between district administrations and flour millers had helped maintain stability in flour prices in Karachi. He said flour was currently available at government-notified rates, with wheat being sold at around Rs11,600 and flour available at approximately Rs125 per kilogram.
Secretary Food said many traders involved in wheat hoarding were operating without licences issued by the Sindh Food Department. He said strict legal action against such elements would continue.
The provincial minister assured the Flour Mills Association that their concerns, including the proposal to increase storage limits, would be presented to the government for consideration.
The association reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring a steady supply of flour across Karachi and other parts of Sindh and pledged full cooperation in maintaining price stability.
Concluding the meeting, Makhdoom Mehboob uz Zaman said the Sindh government would continue its zero-tolerance policy against hoarding, illegal profiteering and artificial shortages to protect consumers and ensure affordable flour for every household.
