Flour mills asks to voluntarily reduce prices in Ramadan

Senior Minister Punjab & Food Minister Abdul Aleem Khan has appealed to Flour Mills Owners to announce a voluntary reduction in flour prices during the holy month of Ramadan. Due to Corona Virus, in the light of the Punjab Government’s decision not to hold Ramadan markets, make sure that the flour continues to be available at low prices in the market. Abdul Aleem Khan announced to add 5 lakh tonnes of wheat procurement target for the Punjab Government so that wheat stock can be made available for any unexpected situation. He expressed these views, here today, while talking to a delegation of flour mills association led by its Central Chairman Asim Raza.

Abdul Aleem Khan assured that the legitimate concerns of the mill owners would go away and he will visit himself to review the “on-ground” situation. Senior Minister also appealed to discourage hoarding of wheat saying that doing business and making a profit is everyone’s right but illegal activities could not be allowed. Senior Minister Abdul Aleem Khan assured that a new policy on wheat transportation from Punjab to other provinces would be followed and no province including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa could buy wheat in Punjab itself. As per the need, Punjab Government will buy wheat for other Provinces and the can transport it from here. Asim Raza, Central Chairman of Flour Mills Association said that wheat has never been scarce and there is still enough stock available, but distribution and other issues are still exist.

He assured of all possible cooperation from himself and his colleagues to supply flour at discounted rates for Ramadan on the appeal of the Senior Minister. Secretary Food Punjab Waqas Ali Mahmood, former chairmen of Flour Mills Association Mian Muhammad Riaz and Hafiz Ahmed Qadir were also present in the meeting.

Meanwhile, Senior Minister Punjab Abdul Aleem Khan has taken notice of the closure of transportation of wheat from certain districts of South Punjab and directed Secretary Food for details of this complaint. Senior Minister immediately convened the meeting of concerned Deputy Commissioners on video link on today (Friday) so that this issue could be resolved.

He made it clear that according to the Punjab Government policy, there is no restriction on bringing and carrying wheat from any district across the province of Punjab to any other district. Smuggling and delivery to another Province will not be allowed at all, the Senior Minister made it clear. Abdul Aleem Khan said that Prime Minister Imran Khan and Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar have great concerns for betterment of Food Department and steps would be taken in the right direction without any further delay.