Chairman of the Wholesale Grocers Association, Abdul Rauf Ibrahim urges authorities to revise flour prices downward in Karachi, citing delays in notification despite a reduction in wheat costs. Despite wheat prices falling to Rs85 per kg, retailers continue to sell flour at Rs123 per kg, a disparity concerning Ibrahim, especially considering Hyderabad’s lower retail price of Rs108 per kg. Ibrahim emphasizes wholesalers’ repeated appeals to the Karachi Commissioner for price adjustments, stressing that while wholesalers sell at Rs104 per kg, the government’s notified rate remains at Rs123 per kg.
This failure to pass on the benefits of reduced wheat costs to consumers has prompted concerns. Meanwhile, in Hyderabad, flour is priced at Rs103 per kg wholesale and Rs108 per kg retail, indicating better price alignment compared to Karachi.
In a recent incident, a retailer in Jodia Bazaar faced penalties for selling flour below the official rate, sparking outrage from the Karachi Wholesaler Grocers Group (KWGG), hinting at potential protests against perceived injustices.
