Get ready for fresh bread at fresh prices! The city commissioner has announced new prices for naan and chapati, with strict warning against overpricing. PHOTO: JALAL QUERESHI/EXPRES
RAWALPINDI:
The General Council of Pakistan Naanbai Association has announced that despite a record rise in the prices of flour, fine flour, sesame, ghee, LPG cylinders, labor and tandoor rent in the history of the country, the current prices of roti and naan will be maintained till 30th Ramazan.
However, from the day of Eidul Fitr, the price of roti and naan will be increased by Rs5, while paratha and roghni naan prices will be increased by Rs10.
The association stated that the district administration has completely failed and has become helpless in controlling the prices of flour, fine flour and materials used for making roti and naan.
The beginning of the new year 2026 has broken the 78-year record for price increases of essential commodities. The general assembly was attended by district, tehsil and city officials from Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal, Murree and Talagang districts.
The meeting was chaired by Central President Shafiq Qureshi.
The Central President stated that in the open market, the price of a 79 kg bag of flour increased from Rs 7,600 to Rs 11,700 before the New Year, while the fine flour bag increased from Rs 8,200 to Rs 12,600 during the same period.
By 30th Ramazan, a further increase of Rs1,700 to Rs2,200 per bag is expected. The price of a commercial gas cylinder has reached Rs16,000. Labor costs for bread baking, dough making and making dough balls have increased by Rs.500, while tandoor rent and electricity bills have multiplied.
He said that the old prices of roti, naan and paratha have become unacceptable, but since Ramazan is the month of blessing, a unanimous decision was taken to maintain the prices during Ramazan. The prices will be increased either on Eid day or after the three Eid holidays.
He added that despite repeatedly submitting applications to the Food Controller, Deputy Commissioner and PML-N ministers, no relief was given. When judges visit and are shown bills reflecting increased material costs, they reply that it is not their problem and that roti prices cannot be increased, and even suggest shutting down the tandoors.
“We are exhausted. If demands or fines are imposed, first all tandoors in Rawalpindi Division will be shut down, followed by closure across Punjab,” the association warned.
