Peshawar, Jan 14, 2026: The Pakistan Flour Mills Association (PFMA) has warned that the flour crisis in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa could intensify if Punjab does not lift restrictions on the supply of wheat and flour to the province.
According to Naeem Butt, the provincial chairman of PFMA, Punjab has imposed a ban on the supply of wheat and flour since August last year. As a result, prices in KP have steadily increased with a 20kg bag of flour now selling for up to Rs3,000.
“If the ban is not lifted immediately, flour and wheat prices could rise further during Ramazan, with the possibility of a 20kg bag reaching Rd4,000,” Butt said. He noted that Punjab produces 75pc of Pakistan’s wheat and accused authorities of setting up checkpoints for wheat and flour entering KP.
PFMA has called on the prime minister, the chief ministers of Punjab and KP to take notice of the ban and lift it immediately, warning that the restrictions are harming the public economically.
Butt added that the provincial food department had yet to release wheat stocks, leading to closures of flour mills in the province and unemployment for associated workers. Without timely action, the province could face a severe shortage of flour.
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