KP millers threaten to launch protest against ban on wheat supply from Punjab

PESHAWAR: Flour millers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa threatened to launch a protest against the ‘unconstitutional’ ban on transportation of wheat from Punjab. The millers said the restriction was a sheer violation of article 151 of the constitution and expressed fear that a severe wheat flour crisis will hit the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, if the ban wasn’t lifted immediately. Fresh crops from Punjab and Sindh arrived wherein wheat stock was available in huge quantities. Every year, in the same days, wheat was procured from the open market of the Punjab on a cheap rate but despite availability of wheat in surplus quantity, Punjab has virtually imposed a ban on supply of wheat to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which is completely unconstitutional, millers said. READ ALSO: KP asks Punjab to lift ban on wheat, flour supply The millers raised these concerns during a meeting of the Pakistan Flour Mills Association Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, chaired by its chairman Naeem Butt here on Saturday. Office bearers, senior leaders of flour mills from various districts were in attendance in the meeting. The meeting expressed grave concern over ineffective steps to lift the unconstitutional ban on wheat transportation from Punjab as the ground realities were completely different. The meeting was told that illegal checkpoints were erected in Punjab and allegedly demanded a huge bribe for allowing entry of the trucks loaded with wheat into the KP, which it called extortion. It was blamed that FIRs were registered in case the demand of bribe was unfulfilled and wheat unloaded from truck and then shifting these vehicles to government godowns. In the prevailing circumstance, the meeting stated it is sheer injustice with the flour mill industry and people of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The PFMA-KP urged Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to take prompt steps and ensure the lifting of the unlawful and unfair ban on wheat transportation from Punjab. The meeting made it clear that if the Punjab government would continue its step-motherly attitude with the flour industry and people of KP that may affect supply of flour, subsequently prices will go up and masses would face unpleasant and difficult situations. The PFMA-KP feared if the supply of wheat couldn’t be restored immediately that would raise apprehension of closure of the flour mills, and hundreds of poor labourers would become jobless. The Association took a firm stance that the millers will lodge strong protest and go for strike and shut their units for indefinite period if the provincial government didn’t take effective steps to resolving this crucial issue. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

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