PESHAWAR: There is growing concern about a potential wheat and flour crisis in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), prompting the provincial government to take significant action.
According to sources, the KP government has sent a letter to the federal government urging the assurance of an uninterrupted supply of wheat. In the letter, it is highlighted that the province is facing a risk of crisis due to disruptions in the supply of wheat and flour from Punjab.
The KP government notes that local wheat production is only 1.6 million metric tons, whereas the annual requirement for the province is 5.3 million metric tons. As a result of this wheat shortage, the price of a 40 kg bag of wheat has surged to over Rs 4,700.
Restrictions imposed by the Punjab authorities have started to impact the strategic reserves in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Specifically, the flow of 554,800 metric tons of wheat intended for Malakand Dargai has been halted, affecting the supply of 5,548 bags of wheat. The federal government is urged to take notice of this situation.
The letter also points out that the obstruction of wheat supplies constitutes a violation of Article 151 of the Constitution. It requests the federal government to immediately allow the passage of wheat vehicles currently stopped in Punjab.
Furthermore, the KP government has approved the purchase of 225,000 metric tons of wheat and calls for federal intervention to ensure that the wheat supply from PASCCO continues without any hindrance.
Read also: KP Food Department seeks wheat supply from PASSCO
