Wheat Supply Halt Sparks Bread Shortage and Public Anxiety
Food Security
Pakistan has been suffering from political and economic instability since long.
But this time, the situation has become alarming.
This is because the problem has now escalated to normal citizens’ houses.
Citizens are now finding it difficult to get basic necessities of life.
Simultaneously, there is an acute shortage of flour in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
Around 45 important flour mills are now near to closing.
Due to this, people find it difficult to get bread.
Nevertheless, the representatives of industry have blamed administrative orders rather than natural calamities for this problem.
It has come to notice that Punjab Food Department made a verbal order on July 13.
The department stopped transportation of wheat without making a written order.
Accordingly, the daily supply of wheat in Islamabad and Rawalpindi has been discontinued by nearly 8,000 tons.
President of Pakistan Flour Mills Association Riazullah Khan raised alarm regarding worsening shortages.
According to him, flour may vanish from the markets if government intervention comes late.
In addition, flour mill stocks are depleted.
Also, flour prices have been increased by black market operators.
As a result, people find themselves unable to afford even the most basic food products.
Millers are demanding the reinstatement of the online permit system.
They argue that verbal directives promote corruption and make decisions based on whims.
Furthermore, they accuse government officials of giving priority to their own interests rather than food security.
At the same time, citizens press the Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.
They demand immediate restoration of wheat supplies to prevent social unrest.
Otherwise, Pakistan would have to face a very serious threat of social disorder due to flour shortage.
Thus, now Pakistan is faced with a dilemma of food security versus economic stability.
Flour crisis became a severe signal for the country’s future.
As such, about 8,000 tonnes of wheat that are supplied daily to Islamabad and Rawalpindi have been interrupted.
The president of Pakistan Flour Mills Association Riazullah Khan has sounded an alarm for the upcoming shortage.
According to him, the absence of government action might lead to disappearance of flour in markets.
In addition to this, the flour mill’s reserves are on the verge of exhaustion.
Black market businessmen allegedly raised the prices for flour.
As a consequence, many families face difficulties in purchasing even the most basic food products.
The owners of flour mills called upon restoration of the permit process via Internet.
They believe that verbal order allows for corruption.
In addition to this, there is an assumption that some government officials put their own interests above the needs of the country’s citizens.
In the meantime, the social pressure on Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz is increasing.
Residents and mill owners call on the provincial government to resume wheat supplies.
Otherwise, specialists are afraid that the current shortage can lead to social unrest.
Now Pakistan stands on the brink of choosing between food security and economic stability.
Flour crisis is now a significant warning for the future of Pakistan.
Food Security
