Our Correspondents
Peshawar/ Nawabshah
Pakistan Flour Mills Association Khyber Pakhtunkuwan (PFMAKP) Thursday expressed fear of flour shortage in the province after suspension of wheat supply from Punjab to KP. PFMAKP in its executive body meeting held here under the chairmanship of Haji Mohammad Iqbal noted that Punjab province has enough stock of wheat while cultivation of new crop has also started.
It said that some elements were giving an impression that wheat was being smuggled to neighbouring country in the name of wheat supply from Punjab to KP, adding that since all international border points were closed the smuggling of wheat was out of question.
The flour mills association observed that under article 151 of the constitution a province cannot ban food supply to other province, adding that if the ban continues all KP flour mills would soon close operation that would leave more than 1,70 labourers attached with the sector jobless while KP province would face flour shortage in holy month of Ramazan.
Sindh Secretary Food, Laeeq Ahmed Khan Thursday called for ensuring transparent supply of bags to growers and preventing smuggling of wheat in the province. Presiding a meeting with officials of food department of Shaheed Benazirabad Division to take account of distribution of wheat bags and procurement process, the secretary hoped that set targets could be achieved by better yield while wheat procurement centers have started purchasing. The secretary instructed that transparent supply of wheat bags to growers under stipulated system should be ensured and strict legal action be initiated against traders hoarding wheat. He directed officials of Food department to ensure the presence of Food Inspector at the procurement centers and the report of wheat procurement should be submitted to secretary office on daily basis.
