As the prices of essential commodities, including flour and rice, persistently rise, the recent surge in wheat prices has led to a rise in the cost of a 40kg bag of flour across Punjab. The price of wheat in Punjab is steadily increasing and the price of a 40kg bag of flour in the open market has reached Rs 4,700. Flour mill owners have also increased the price of a 20kg bag by Rs 100. In the market across the province, a 20kg bag of flour now costs Rs 2,800, while a 10kg bag – after the hike of Rs 75 – is now priced at Rs 1450. It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan Bureau of Statistics released figures for the prices of flour a few days ago, indicating that the country has reached a record high flour prices.