Flour mills across Punjab are set to suspend operations after the Pakistan Flour Mills Association announced a province-wide strike.
The association is protesting what it describes as anti-industry policies, suspended wheat and flour quotas, and alleged corruption within the food department.
The Pakistan Flour Mills Association (PFMA) said mills were being sealed and fined up to Rs. 5 million over what it called minor violations.
Millers Allege Permit Demands and Quota Restrictions
The association alleged that officials were demanding payments for permits and truck lists required to transport wheat, flour and bran.
PFMA Chairman Riazullah Khan said the association would file a reference with the Anti-Corruption Establishment against a District Food Controller over an alleged demand of Rs. 150,000 for each permit.
The association also questioned the appointment of a Grade 15 employee as District Food Controller. It called for the official to be replaced by a senior officer appointed on merit.
Khan alleged that DFC Azhar Baloch had created a system involving alleged bribery and payments for transport permits.
Dispute Over Wheat, Flour and Bran Transportation
Khan said the Punjab government had introduced an online system for flour mills to generate transport permits based on their requirements.
He alleged that authority over the permits was later transferred to the District Food Controller in the Rawalpindi Division.
According to the PFMA chairman, millers were allegedly asked to pay between Rs. 100,000 and Rs. 150,000 for individual permits.
The association also raised concerns about the transportation of bran, which is commonly used as animal feed.
Khan said an agreement with the Director General Food had allowed mills to provide truck lists for transporting bran.
He alleged that the District Food Controller later stopped the arrangement and demanded payments for issuing the lists.
Millers Warn of Higher Flour Prices
The PFMA said transportation of wheat and flour to other districts and provinces had also been restricted.
The association claimed that wheat and flour quotas had been abolished or suspended.
According to the millers, these restrictions could increase transportation costs and put additional pressure on wheat and flour prices.
Riazullah Khan said the industry was not seeking to benefit from political instability.
He said flour millers wanted to operate legally and sought a transparent system for permits, quotas and transportation.
The association’s strike is aimed at pressing the provincial government to address its concerns and restore normal operations for the flour industry.
