AS the imported wheat is about to hit the domestic market, decrease is already being witnessed in the prices of the commodity. In the open market, a reduction of Rs 150 per forty kilogram has been seen in the price of wheat flour. With the improvement of supply in the coming days, the price of flour will definitely further go down which indeed is a great news for the common man which of late has been hit hard by the surge in the prices of both wheat flour and sugar.
However, the warning of Central Chairman of Pakistan Flour Mills Association Asim Raza Ahmad that the mill owners will not purchase the imported wheat is not understandable. If the commodity is being made available to them at reduced rates, then what is the issue and why are they reluctant to purchase it? Rather they should be forthcoming in order to extend the relief to the common man. The warning in fact smacks of a foul play. On behalf of mill owners, the Chairman of the Association also threatened to close down their facilities if the crackdown against them is not stopped. It is responsibility of the government to go after the elements involved in hoarding or smuggling of commodities as well as creating their artificial shortage. The mill owners whose hands are clean should not be worried rather they should help the government in identifying the black sheep amongst them. It is for the government not to come under any pressure, stay firm and take a decisive action against the mill owners who are robbing the pockets of poor consumers. They should be sealed and heavy fines be imposed on them to teach them a lesson. If the mill owners have some genuine issues, they should sit with the relevant authorities to get them addressed. The focus of government must remain on bringing down the prices of essential commodities especially those of wheat and the sugar to provide relief to the masses.
