Pakistan flour millers demand immediate release of wheat stocks

The Pakistan Flour Mills Association (PFMA) has raised serious concerns over the Wheat Food Policy 2025–26 and urged the authorities to immediately release government wheat stocks to flour mills in order to prevent an impending food crisis.

Speaking at an emergency press conference in Karachi, PFMA Sindh Circle Chairman Abdul Junaid Aziz accused the Sindh provincial government of supplying subsidised wheat to traders instead of flour mills. He said this practice deprives the people of Sindh of billions of rupees in subsidies and distorts the market.

PFMA representatives noted that traders were included in the wheat distribution system for the first time under the new policy. While strict quota limits were imposed on flour mills, no purchase caps were set for traders. The government supplies wheat at Rs8,000 per 100-kg bag, which traders allegedly resell at around Rs9,500 per bag.

The association issued a 48-hour ultimatum demanding the immediate release of wheat to flour mills, warning that flour could become unavailable across the province after January 15 if supplies are not restored. PFMA also alleged that millions of bags of subsidised wheat intended for Sindh are being diverted to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab.

PFMA leaders cautioned that failure by the food department and the Sindh government to address the issue promptly could lead to a sharp rise in flour prices and potential shortages, triggering public unrest. They argued that the current policy benefits traders seeking profit rather than consumers, and serves the interests of certain individuals at the expense of food security.

Tags: wheat, flour, Pakistan