Karachi:
Pakistan Mel Mills Association Sindh has held the Punjab government responsible for creating an artificial wheat crisis and required the federal government to allow Mill’s permission to import wheat. The association warned that the ongoing Inter-province ban on wheat transport will escalate the wheat crisis in the coming days and could trigger a new melting shortage.
Association President Abdul Junaid Aziz told The Express Pakinomist that the Punjab government unexpectedly introduced a ban on Inter-Province Hvedet Transport at the end of last week. He explained that wheat harvesting in Sindh begins as early as February and delivers Punjab and other provinces, while Punjab’s wheat production is delayed.
Abdul Junaid said that Punjab suddenly stopped wheat transport to other provinces, after meeting his own demands, causing an artificial wheat shortage in Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
He emphasized that, after deregulation of wheat, there should be no restrictions on its transport under Article 151 of the Pakistan Constitution, but this constitutional provision is violated, causing public unrest.
He criticized the government’s unoccupied actions and noted that instead of limiting the wheat movement, Punjab should have considered the serious flood situation and relieved wheat transport to other provinces. The ban has put billions worth of stored wheat in danger and hindered the availability of affordable flour to the public.
He further explained that Punjab produces 70 percent of the country’s wheat, making the other three provinces strongly dependent on Punjab’s wheat. Such actions from the Punjab government have caused feelings of deprivation and turmoil among provinces, creating difficulties for people in accessing their staple food.
The association demanded immediate termination of the Inter-province ban on wheat and melror transport.
